BIRMINGHAM, England: Chelsea’s England right back Reece James will “give everything” to be fit for the World Cup but manager Graham Potter gave little room for much hope on Sunday (Oct 16).
James injured his knee against AC Milan in the Champions League last week and faces several weeks out. He looks almost certain to miss the tournament in Qatar.
“In terms of his involvement in the World Cup, I don’t know. He will give everything but he is in a brace for four weeks so that will slow things down,” Potter told reporters.
“It wouldn’t be my place to predict what’s going to happen. All I know is what the next four weeks look like for him and that has implications in terms of what he needs to do to get fit from there. But our job is just to help him in the short term now and get him back.
“He’s disappointed and upset. He got himself into a real good moment of form. He will give everything, fight and give as best he can. He will return and be a top, top player.”
Potter refuted any suggestion Chelsea had been slow to diagnose the extent of James’s injury after it was reported he stayed with the squad in Milan for some relaxation.
“Reece felt a bit of discomfort the following day, came home and we got it assessed as quickly as we could,” Potter said. “Nothing has got worse because of how we acted in those times. Now we have to support him and get him strong.”
England manager Gareth Southgate is expected to announce his squad on Thursday – a month before his side kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran.
James, 22, has established himself as Southgate’s first-choice right wing back, earning 15 caps.
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