Chelsea injury blow confirmed as statement issued

The Chelsea winger was substituted in the 39th minute of Friday night’s 4-2 Euro U21 qualifying win over Kazakhstan.

England led 2-0, with Gittens’s Chelsea team-mate Josh Acheampong on the scoresheet, but an injury forced the young winger off. He was replaced by a former Chelsea attacker Tyrique George.

After the match, Gittens was pictured on crutches and England U21 head coach Lee Carsley soon after revealed that the 22-year-old would return to Cobham for tests.

Jamie Gittens

PA

“Jamie got a kick on his ankle,” Carsley said. “We never take risks. He will go back.”

Chelsea medical staff will now fully assess Gittens’s injury to determine the severity of the issue and the roadmap to recovery.

The FA confirmed on Monday morning that Gittens, along with Norwich City pair Kellen Fisher and Ben Chrisene, had withdrawn from the England U21 squad due to injuries.

The West Ham forward Divine Mukasa, on loan from Manchester City, has been called up as a replacement for the injured trio.

The U21s face Slovakia in Stoke on Friday before travelling to Cork to play against the Republic of Ireland next Tuesday.

Gittens has struggled for minutes this season, with his only minutes coming in Carabao Cup wins over Luton and Leeds.

Roma expressed interest in signing the winger during the summer, but Chelsea steadfastly refused to sanction his sale and insisted he was a part of their plans for the season.