Chelsea and England will have to wait 24-48 hours to discover the full extent of Reece James’ injury, Blues manager Graham Potter has said.
22-year old right-back, was able to limp off during Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over AC MilanFears of the World Cup are being raised by the Champions League’s Wednesday night game.
He appeared to fall awkwardly on his right foot and succumbed at the hour mark.
James was seen walking around and shaking hands at full-time – and Potter is hopeful it is not too serious.
“We’re hoping he’ll be OK,” the Chelsea boss said. “It’s 24 to 48 hours too early to give you anything more than that.”
With Qatar 2022 less than a month away Gareth Southgate, Three Lions boss, is concerned.
England is already sweating over Kyle Walker’s fitness as Man City right-back, after he had surgery for a groin issue.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool’s defender, is currently out of action for at least two weeks.
After a spectacular start to the season, James put on another impressive performance Tuesday night.
He is a guaranteed starter for England at the World Cup after emerging as the Three Lions’ first-choice right-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. In the first-half, I waxed lyrical about his form.
“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.”
