Chelsea learn new Reece James return timeline after hammer injury blow

Standard Sport understands there is an expectation it will take the Chelsea captain until around mid-January before he is back playing.

However, Chelsea sources have insisted the three-month timescale is a general estimate. They maintain the 26-year-old will not be rushed back "prematurely".

James suffered a knee injury in training on Friday, October 9 and it was initially described as a “small” issue.

But after sitting out of the 5-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday, the Blues confirmed in a statement on Friday morning that James had undergone “minor knee surgery” and had “already begun his road to recovery”.

Hammer blow: Reece James

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To be without James for around three months is a huge blow for the west Londoners and their manager Xabi Alonso. The right-back had increasingly been playing in midfield in the last 18 months.

Chelsea’s statement stated: “Captain Reece James has undergone successful minor knee surgery.

“The 26-year-old was absent from Saturday’s victory over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge while medical assessments took place following the injury suffered in training. Those assessments confirmed surgery would be the required course of action.”

The club statement continued: “Reece has already begun his road to recovery and will be supported by the club's medical department at Cobham during this rehabilitation phase.

“Everyone at Chelsea wishes Reece a speedy recovery and will support him on his road to return.”

James played in all of Chelsea’s first six games of the season but has since missed the last two matches.