England right-back Reece James suffered an injury during Chelsea’s Champions League clash against AC Milan, sparking fears ahead of the World Cup next month.
After landing heavily on his right leg, the 22-year old limped off at the San Siro on the hour mark.
After treatment for his knee, he continued to work briefly but ultimately succumbed.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate is worried that Qatar 2022 will be less than a year away.
England is already looking into the fitness of Man City right back Kyle Walker. He has had surgery to correct a groin problem. Trent Alexander–Arnold, Liverpool defender, is expected to be out for at most two weeks.
James was enjoying another imperious performance on Tuesday night after a sensational start to the season for Chelsea, emerging as the Three Lions’ first-choice wing-back.
Asked whether this is a concern for Southgate, England legend Stuart Pearce told talkSPORT: “It certainly is. He’s in such a good vein of form. I was waxing poetic about him in the first half.
“His energy, his drive, his commitment. Let’s hope it’s nothing too serious.
“We saw him jar his knee. The fact that he carried on, don’t be fooled by that.
“With knee ligaments, sometimes you can have quite a serious injury and you carry on with it by running in straight lines.
“I really hope it’s only precautionary.”
