Reece James suffered another knee-injury scare on his return to action in Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
The England full-back went down in an innocuous-looking incident in the second-half at Stamford Bridge, but immediately pointed to his knee.
James was able to walk off the pitch after a spell of treatment, to be replaced by Cesar Azpilicueta with Chelsea leading 2-0.
The Blues will be determined not to take any chances with key man James’ fitness, especially given knee trouble ruled him out of the World Cup.
James suffered a knee ligament injury in Chelsea’s 2-0 Champions League win at AC Milan on October 11.
The 23-year-old was unable to find fitness in time to make the Qatar World Cup with England, using the time to build up towards the Premier League’s resumption instead.
Blues boss Graham Potter insisted this week that Chelsea would manage James’ minutes carefully in a staged return to full sharpness.
James started the Blues’ league return against the Cherries however and had powered straight back into top form.
Chelsea will now hope James can avoid any serious injury, with Potter accepting this week that the Blues have effectively looked a different team in his presence.
