Chelsea hopeful but cautious over James's latest hamstring injury

The latest hamstring setback for Chelsea defender Reece James has caused concern externally but the club believes initial scans to be positive.

They reveal the 24-year-old has not suffered a re-occurrence of his previous injuries - but instead has a new hamstring issue.

However, Chelsea remain guarded over potential timeframes for recovery, after a report in the Telegraph that James will be out for at least one month.

They are keen to reduce the pressure on their captain as he begins rehabilitation.

James has described his mental struggles throughout an injury-hit spell that has lasted multiple years.

He hoped surgery on his hamstring last December in Finland would stem his fitness concerns, allow him to return to playing regularly and enable him to regain his England international spot.

Instead, unfortunately, James has suffered his second setback of the season and has not played for England since March 2023.

It remains an ongoing process for Chelsea's revamped medical staff to build his robustness to a place where he can handle the modern rigours of playing as a physical full-back at the highest level.

When asked about James before Thursday's Conference League game at Heidenheim, Enzo Maresca reflected the club's guarded position on his fitness.

"Yes [he's had a scan] - the only thing we can say is that he is getting better day by day," Maresca said. “We don't know how many days he needs. He's getting better."

Since signing a contract worth a reported £250,000-a-week until 2028, James has played just 20 Premier League games, with four of those against Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Arsenal before his latest setback suffered in training during the November international break.