Chelsea defender Reece James has suffered a fresh injury scare just three games into his comeback.
The England wing-back suffered muscle damage during Saturday’s win against Burnley, which could see him miss Thursday’s clash with Norwich.
Thomas Tuchel confirmed the injury was not a recurrence of the hamstring problem that kept him out for two months at the start of the year. But it is still a concern for the European champions so soon after he regained full fitness.
James scored on his first start of 2022 in the 4-0 win against Burnley at Turf Moor. Chelsea’s medical staff had already decided to manage his minutes, but the latest injury looks set to sideline him again.
Tuchel said: “Everybody was on the training pitch today [Wednesday] except for Ben Chilwell and Reece James, who has muscular problems after three matches - not his injured leg but the other leg. We need examination.
“We thought he could be on the pitch today but no. Needs further examination.”
Tuchel added: “He felt it during the match, that’s why we took him out. It didn’t get better so we are worried. Still we need some more details, more information. Today will be further examinations. It is obvious what he gives to our team so not good news at the moment. A setback for sure, I hope not a big one.”
Chilwell returned to light training this week as he steps up his recovery from a knee ligament operation, but Tuchel insists he will not play again this season.
“So we were all pretty excited, but it was just that the weather made it possible that he can do the exercise he normally does inside, outside.
“They made him smell the grass and get a bit excited. Not even close to football, team training or whatever, no. No chance.”
