LONDON (AP) — After missing the World Cup with a knee injury, Reece James raised fears of another setback when he limped off during Chelsea’s 2-0 win against Bournemouth on Tuesday.
The England right-back was close to tears when he was substituted after 53 minutes at Stamford Bridge.
“It’s really too early, but it’s the same area that we’re concerned about and we’ll have to see in the next 24 to 48 hours,” Chelsea manager Graham Potter said.
James was left out of England’s World Cup squad after suffering a knee injury in October. And there are fears that he suffered a recurrence in his first competitive game back.
“He felt something there and we’ll have to find out the range and cross our fingers,” Potter said. “He is very disappointed to miss the World Cup, of course. It was a big blow for him. Today you could see the quality of him and what he brings to the team”.
Potter said the plan was for James to play 60 minutes.
Chelsea ended a three game losing streak with victory.
Goals from Kai Havertz and Mason Mount in the first half secured all three points for the London club and dropped them to eighth in the Premier League.
Before the World Cup break, Chelsea had lost four of their previous five games in all competitions and were winless in their previous five league games.
Potter needed a win with his team outside the top six at Christmas for the second time in 22 seasons.
Chelsea took the lead after just 16 minutes when Havertz slid in to convert a low ball from Raheem Sterling.
Eight minutes later, Chelsea had a second, with Havertz putting the ball back to Mount, making his 150th start for the club, to pass superbly past goalkeeper Mark Travers from 20 yards out.
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