Reece James: England and Chelsea defender set to miss World Cup with knee injury
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James was substituted after 62 minutes during Chelsea's win at AC Milan after jarring his knee in the turf while making a challenge
England's Reece James looks set to miss the World Cup with Chelsea confirming he is expected to be out for at least eight weeks with a knee injury.
The 22-year-old right-back, who has 15 caps, sustained the injury in Chelsea's 2-0 win at AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The World Cup starts in just over five weeks, on 20 November, in Qatar.
Fellow England right-backs Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold are currently out through injury too.
England kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran on 21 November.
After Sunday's 2-0 win over Aston Villa, Chelsea boss Graham Potter revealed James will be in a brace for four weeks and said the defender was "naturally disappointed, naturally upset".
"In terms of his involvement at the World Cup, I don't know," said Potter. "It'll depend on how he recovers.
"But he's in a brace for probably four weeks. So that slows everything down, I think."
He also said "nothing has got any worse" as a result of James staying in Milan an extra day, which, according to some reports, was a source of frustration to the Football Association.
Potter added: "Obviously Reece felt a bit of discomfort the following day so came home and got it assessed as quickly as we could. So nothing's got any worse because of how we acted in those times. So now we have to support him and get him fit and strong."
Chelsea said on Saturday: "After consultation between all parties, Reece will now undergo a rehabilitation programme and is expected to be out for eight weeks."
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Manchester City's Walker had groin surgery earlier in October while Liverpool's Alexander-Arnold picked up an ankle injury against Arsenal last weekend.
Walker says he hopes he will be fit in time for the World Cup.
Newcastle's Kieran Trippier is the other strong choice in that position.