Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

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,, external that James will be out for at least one month.

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

That's reflected in manager Enzo Maresca's guarded position when asked about his fitness, he said: "Yes [he's had a scan] - the only thing we can say is that he is getting better day by day.

“We don't know how many days he needs. He's getting better."

Europa League

• Manchester United v Bodo/Glimt
• Nice v Rangers
• Tottenham v Roma

Conference League

• Cercle Brugge v Hearts (17:45 GMT)
• Heidenheim v Chelsea (17:45 GMT)
• The New Saints v Djurgarden (17:45 GMT)
• Olimpija v Larne (20:00 GMT)

This week's European fixtures continue later with several UK sides in action. We're about to look ahead to those and hear from Liverpool boss Arne Slot as the Premier League leaders prepare to face defending champions Manchester City on Sunday.

Now here's how the bottom 18 of the Champions League looks after this week's action.

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty Images

Thanks for the question, Robert.

First and second are paired, then third and fourth, fifth and sixth, seventh and eighth.

So it's an advantage finishing in the top two, rather than first.

That's because first or second will face one of the two teams who make it out of the play-offs involving teams who finish 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th.

Wouldn't it be fairer for first or second to play 24th, we hear you cry?

Another good (imaginary) question.

It's because, as we mentioned earlier, the team finishing 24th will be paired with 23rd and face whoever finishes ninth or 10th, so they could well be eliminated before it gets to the round when the top eight enter.

Is that, erm, clear?!

Just to remind you, here's how the top half - or 18 teams - are faring in the Champions League after matchday five.

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty Images

Sanforth Seth: Dave @12:16 with a contender for worst post of the season. First it was that Liverpool hadn’t played anyone and now they’ve beaten all before them it’s now luck. It’s almost as if whatever they do people begrudge giving credit where it’s due.

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo with an update about England midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliott Anderson: "There is still tomorrow. We have to assess the players and see how they are. They are improving. Danilo is also improving. Let's see tomorrow how they are, if they can help the team.

"It is the same for Anthony Elanga. He is still being assessed, he came out with a very painful situation but the doctors are looking after him."

BBC Sport has a dedicated Forest page packed with news, analysis and fan views - get it here

Nottingham Forest

Nuno Espirito Santo on whether he is concerned about his Nottingham Forest side suffering two defeats in a row: "Of course, we are concerned when we don't play good and we don't perform well. But we are also concerned when we play well and win because there are always issues to address and improve. The only solution is to work on those aspects and that is what we've been doing.

"We have to give credit to the opponents because, some of the goals they've scored, it is difficult to stop them. But there are aspects where we've got to look at the defensive aspect of the team. It is not only the backline - the midfielders, the wingers an strikers have to help.

"The first reaction we have to have to conceding six goals into two games is to say 'we cannot be this kind of club or team'. We cannot be a team that concedes too many goals because that gets you a far way away from being a successful team."

Gary Cahill
Former Chelsea and Aston Villa defender on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily

It's an interesting appointment. His career from a players' point of view takes care of itself, but it is really interesting for Leicester fans.

He did well at PSV, was interim at Manchester United and did well recently in the couple of games he had, but there is going to be a slight unknown around him. At the same time, I think it will be very exciting.

Listen to Football Daily on BBC Sounds.

West Ham United

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui on whether he has felt any pressure on him recently: "I am not aware about the things that are not under my control. I always put the focus on the daily work and things that can help the team and my players. My focus is to be a better team, this is the main aim that we have as a coach and coaching staff."

The Hammers are 14th in the Premier League after winning 2-0 at Newcastle on Monday.

West Ham United

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui on his touchline ban this weekend and what impact it will have: "The most important thing is the players on the pitch. They have to be able to compete against, in my opinion, the best team in the Premier League and one of the best teams around the world. I am not going to be on the bench but that's OK. Maybe I have to improve sometimes my way to say my feelings."

On whether he feels harshly treated: "No. Sometimes I am passionate and sometimes you try to say something or you act or make an action with your hands. I always try to have respect for referees. I don't feel they treat me badly."

BBC Sport has a dedicated Hammers page packed with news, analysis and fan views - get it here

West Ham United

Ruud van Nistelrooy's first home game as Leicester boss would be at home to West Ham on Tuesday.

And we've just heard from Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui, who has given some team news before their game at home to Arsenal on Saturday.

"We have two or three little problems," he said. "We have to wait until tomorrow morning to assess and to know exactly if they are going to be available or not for the next big challenge against Arsenal."

On whether he can say who those players are: "No, I prefer not to. I am positive, I would like to think all of them will be ready, but let's see."

Chris Sutton
Former Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily

I have got sympathy for Steve Cooper. They're 12 Premier League games in, 16th in the table and they haven't had the worst start.

I think the Leicester players are an entitled group of players who possibly played a large part in Cooper getting the sack. I think it is a really difficult job for [Van Nistelrooy] to go into.

As Manchester United interim boss, he beat them twice and I don't know whether that had any bearing on him getting the job. But, at the start of the season it would have always been about Leicester just staying in the Premier League. Maybe their expectations are higher.

Listen to Football Daily on BBC Sounds.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has only taken charge of 50 games in first-team management - 54 if you include his recent caretaker spell at Manchester United.

His first and only permanent spell to date came with PSV Eindhoven, where he signed a three-year contract prior to the 2022-23 season.

Van Nistelrooy led PSV to a second-place finish behind Arne Slot's Feyenoord and also won the Dutch Cup before resigning at the end of the season.

The former PSV and United striker boasted a 64.71% win percentage and picked up an average of 2.22 points per game.

Image source, Getty Images

On to another Premier League legend who is set for a return to management... Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to be appointed as Leicester City's new manager.

Van Nistelrooy's appointment comes two weeks after he left his role as interim head coach at Manchester United, following Erik ten Hag's dismissal.

The Dutchman oversaw three wins and one draw during his stint in charge at United, but departed after being told he would not be given a role in new boss Ruben Amorim's backroom staff.

Two of Van Nistelrooy's victories were against Leicester - a 5-2 win in the Carabao Cup last 16 and a 3-0 triumph in the Premier League earlier this month.

Image source, Getty Images

Frank Lampard has an enormous task in front of him at Coventry City.

The Sky Blues currently sit 17th in the table and just two points off the Championship relegation places.

It's a difficult task on paper but even more so when you consider he has to do it when replacing an extremely popular previous manager in Mark Robins.

Robins led Coventry to two promotions, an EFL Trophy victory, a Championship play-off finish and an FA Cup semi-final.

No pressure, Frank.