Reports have claimed that Chelsea’s Reece James is expected to miss just one game due to his injury suffered at the San Siro on Tuesday.
According to The Evening Standard, the 22-year-old is likely to miss this weekend’s trip to Aston Villa, however could be back in time to face Brentford in less than a week.
The England international was forced off during another stellar display in the 2-0 win in the Champions League against AC Milan.
James was continuing to do a fine job marshalling dangerous winger Rafael Leao, who may well have been out to impress those watching from the Blues.
With the busy fixture list that strikes the month of October, there were early fears that he may be absent for a number of key Chelsea games.
James back in a week
There was of course also fears that he may be unavailable for this winter’s World Cup, with him establishing himself this season as the number one option for Gareth Southgate at right-back.
All parties will be relieved by The Evening Standard’s report, which has stated that he could return in as soon as six days time for the London derby at Brentford.
The report goes on to say that the 22-year-old spent an extra day in Milan, although initial tests have not brought up cause for concern.
Despite Cesar Azpilicueta’s brilliant display against Wolves last weekend, there will have been a real hope that he would not have been relied on to fly up and down the right for too long.
There is also the option of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has come in to his own since the arrival of Graham Potter at the helm.
However, he has proven he operates at a far higher standard down the middle, with him impressing as a midfielder in recent weeks.