Reece James will discover World Cup fate after seeing specialist amid growing fears Chelsea star needs surgery
REECE JAMES will discover his World Cup fate this weekend.
England boss Gareth Southgate is sweating on the availability of the Chelsea right-back in Qatar.
There are growing fears James damaged knee ligaments in Milan on Tuesday and could need surgery.
James will see a specialist in the next 24 hours to assess the injury.
The 22-year-old defender limped off at the San Siro following a collision with AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez and has been wearing a protective knee brace.
The initial diagnosis was a minor jarring of the knee.
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But if he needs an op, James would be fighting an uphill battle to be fit for the World Cup, which starts next month.
Chelsea boss Graham Potter said: “It’s pretty normal that as soon as there is a bit of discomfort the day or two after, you need to get it checked properly.
“There is discomfort so we just need to check and see a specialist. He has been in fantastic form for us, so fingers crossed we wait for good news.”
Chelsea team-mate N’Golo Kante looks destined to miss France’s defence of the World Cup with a hamstring injury.
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The midfielder is also seeing a specialist this weekend with fears he could be out for three months.
James will hope he does not face the same scenario.
Despite being crocked in Milan, James was allowed to stay on in the Italian city for a day with several team-mates as a reward for recent good performances.
England are already sweating on the fitness of defender Kyle Walker, who has had a groin op.