Gareth Southgate says Reece James was left out of the England squad for the World Cup as there were "too many unknowns" in the Chelsea star's recovery from a knee injury.
James was expected to be a key figure for the Three Lions at the tournament in Qatar, which gets underway in a little more than a week's time. However, in Chelsea's Champions League match against AC Milan at San Siro on October 11, the academy graduate hobbled off after a collision with Theo Hernandez.
There were no major concerns about the injury in the immediate aftermath of the game and James was allowed to spend his day off in Milan before flying home. Only then did the 22-year-old undertake a scan that revealed he would face eight weeks out with damaged ligaments.
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That left James in a race against time to be for the World Cup. It was ultimately one he could not win and the defender was told earlier this week by Southgate that he would not be named in the 26-man England squad for the tournament.
"Devastated," James later posted in a message on his social media channels. "The minute I injured my knee, I knew the turnaround to make the World Cup would be tight but I always felt it was possible. I've worked harder than I ever thought I could give myself the best chance of going and truly believed I could help the team.
"I appreciate there was a risk on both sides but it was one I was willing to take. Good luck to the boys. I'll be back soon. Stay safe and sending love."
It wasn't until this afternoon that Southgate confirmed the squad he would take to Qatar. And the right-sided defenders that have been named ahead of James are Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Ben White, and Kyle Walker, who himself is yet to return to action following groin surgery.
"We had to make a very difficult call with Reece, who is a fantastic player," the England head coach explained this afternoon. "He was not going to be available – if everything went perfectly – until the latter stages of the tournament and there were too many unknowns for us on that road to recovery," Southgate explained.
"Also, I do not think we can take a player who is not available for the group stage, that would be deemed arrogant in some circles. But if everything went well and he was available, we would be dropping him into a quarter-final after eight weeks out. That would be really demanding. So it was a tough call. Kyle is a long way ahead of that and is progressing really well."
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