Chelsea defender Reece James is reportedly set to 'urge' Gareth Southgate to include him in his England squad for this month's World Cup. The 22-year-old had been a doubt for the tournament after suffering a knee injury last month but he remains with an outside chance.
The club confirmed last week that James and Wesley Fofana would continue their rehabilitation programme in Dubai alongside a member of the Blues medical department. The pair have been absent from Graham Potter's squad for a few weeks and face the likelihood of not featuring in Qatar.
James has been in a race against time to be fit for the tournament after being out of action since the 2-0 win at AC Milan. Originally, it was expected that the Cobham academy graduate would miss at least eight weeks but there now is hope that he could make a return in time to represent the Three Lions.
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Southgate is expected to name his 26-man squad on Thursday ahead of next Sunday's deadline and he faces a number of injury concerns ahead of the first winter World Cup. Now, according to the Evening Standard, the Chelsea wing-back is ahead of schedule in his recovery and will 'urge' Southgate to name in his squad.
James has told friends that he is 'confident' he will be on the plane. The report also claims that he has been able to walk without a knee brace and is using it less frequently. The England manager is reported to have had discussions with James, who has been tipped to be the Three Lions' wing-back.
Last month, James remained reluctant to rule himself out of the World Cup and insisted his desire to battle to full fitness. Speaking to The Sun, he said: “I need to keep working hard over the next few weeks and see where I am on call-up day. I will try and not rule myself out. It is still slow and in the early stages. I have been in rehab for two weeks, so I am still taking it day-by-day.
“The Chelsea medical staff have not given me a percentage of my chance of being back for the World Cup. It is down to how I feel closer to the time and how stable it is. It is going to be very tough.
"It is an injury which could take a long time and it came at an awkward period but I am trying my best and hopefully it is possible and if it is not, I know I tried everything. I am trying to be positive.
"I am not not sure how long this injury will take. I am not in pain. But if I try to speed it up, it might be a bit of a risk. I am trying hard every day to improve and make it right and get fit as soon as possible."
It wouldn't be the first time that Southgate has named an unfit player in his squad for a tournament. For Euro 2020, Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson were both included despite not being fully fit and played their part in the nation's run to the final.
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