Pro Sports

Reece James faces more tests amid World Cup fears

Posted October 14, 2022 7:00 am

By JAMES ROBSON

AC Milan's Matteo Gabbia tries to tackle Chelsea's Reece James, left, during the Champions League group E soccer match between AC Milan and Chelsea at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Chelsea and England defender Reece James will see a specialist to determine the extent of his knee injury amid concerns ahead of the World Cup.

The right back was taken off in the second half of Chelsea's 2-0 win against AC Milan in the group stage of the Champions League on Tuesday.

No date has been put on James' potential return but with the World Cup starting next month, he has presented the latest concern for England manager Gareth Southgate, who saw another right back in Kyle Walker undergo groin surgery last week.

Amid speculation James faces a race against time to make Qatar, Chelsea manager Graham Potter said doctors are yet to determine the full extent of the injury.

'œHe's due to see a specialist over the weekend," Potter said Friday. "Until we get that information, there's not too much I can add. We will wait and see.'ť

Southgate recently revealed his fears over the national team losing players.

'œWhat I see is a really packed schedule now, a lot of players playing a lot of minutes, and realistically we will lose more," Southgate said Sunday. "I just think it's so intense and the players have had so much football.'ť

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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

AC Milan's Rafael Leao, right, is challenged by Chelsea's Reece James during a Group E soccer match between AC Milan and Chelsea FC, at the San Siro stadium in Milan , Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) The Associated Press

Chelsea's Reece James, right, fights for the ball with AC Milan's Ismael Bennacer, left, and Fikayo Tomori during the Champions League group E soccer match between AC Milan and Chelsea at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

Chelsea's Reece James vies for the ball with AC Milan's Rafael Leao, right, during the Champions League group E soccer match between AC Milan and Chelsea at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

Chelsea's Reece James, right, is challenged by AC Milan's Ismael Bennacer during a Group E soccer match between AC Milan and Chelsea FC, at the San Siro stadium in Milan , Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) The Associated Press

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