Reece James is in a race against time to be fit for Euro 2024 with the Chelsea skipper to require surgery on his hamstring.
The right-back has yet again been plagued by injuries this season, with the 24-year-old now facing up to four months on the sidelines.
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James picked up another hamstring injury in the 2-0 defeat at Everton earlier this monthCredit: AFP
James picked up a hamstring knock on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 campaign against Liverpool, which kept him out of seven Premier League matches.
After forcing his way back into the team in October, he then suffered a recurrence of the problem in the 2-0 defeat at Everton earlier this month.
It is the seventh hamstring injury that the defender has suffered in the last three years.
talkSPORT reported that he faced being out until at least March after he underwent a scan to determine the severity of his issue.
And the Telegraph have now stated that James will go under the knife in Finland in his bid to fix his long-term injury.
The decision has been made for James to go to Finland as doctors Sakari Orava and Lasse Lempainen, who operated on Ousmane Dembele, are regarded as specialists in their field.
He may now not be back in action until April, which puts his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for next summer’s European Championships in jeopardy.
James could require extra time to regain full match fitness given his injury record, while the Three Lions kick off their quest for Euro glory against Serbia on June 16.
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James has been limited to just eight Premier League games this season
James missed the 2022 World Cup due to a knee injury, with the ex-Wigan loan star to now potentially miss another major tournament.
The 2021 Champions League winner is already not a first-team starter under Southgate, with Kyle Walker and Kieran Tripper preferred instead.
Reece James announced as new Chelsea club captain over Thiago Silva following the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta
And Southgate also has Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben White and Tino Livramento at his disposal.
James’ absence will now see Malo Gusto be given another extended run for the Blues, with the Frenchman impressing since joining from Lyon.
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