Reece James suffered a hamstring injury during Chelsea’s most recent Premier League clash against Newcastle United.

The Blues' captain now faces another spell on the sidelines after sustaining yet another setback in what has been a career frequently disrupted by injuries.

Earlier this season, the right-back had managed to remain largely injury-free and was even being considered for an England call-up for the 2026 World Cup. However, this latest issue has hampered his build-up to that goal.

James was absent for Chelsea’s return leg of their Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week, leaving fans anxious to see him back on the pitch.

Before this incident, James had missed only five matches across all competitions this season, making this setback particularly frustrating.

He has featured in 27 Premier League fixtures — the second-highest total of his career — contributing two goals and five assists as Chelsea aim to secure back-to-back qualifications for the Champions League.

Unfortunately, the defender is now expected to be out of action for several weeks due to the hamstring injury, which marks the 10th such issue in his career.

The timing of the injury is especially cruel, coming just days after James signed a new six-year deal at Stamford Bridge. Following the signing, he had expressed optimism, saying, “My body is feeling good.”

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior confirmed that James will not be available for the upcoming trip to Everton and hinted that he may not be ready to return immediately after the international break.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Rosenior remarked, “We’re going to assess Reece more closely after the international break. It’s not a serious problem, but there’s something in his hamstring that we need to check properly after the break.”

Before the PSG clash, Rosenior had suggested that James’ recovery might take “weeks,” though his latest comments offer some optimism that the absence may not be too lengthy.

Chelsea will hope their skipper recovers in time to play a role in the crucial end-of-season fixtures against Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool — all pivotal in their quest for a top-four finish.

James, meanwhile, will aim to regain full fitness ahead of the World Cup later this year. With Thomas Tuchel now managing the England national team, the defender had been tipped for a starting role at the tournament, but this setback could open the door for other players to make an impression in the upcoming international matches.

Next up for Chelsea in the Premier League — a trip to face Everton.