Reece James suffers injury scare before US pre-season tour
- James underwent a scan on a knee injury
- Full-back endured an injury-hit season last year
- Chelsea set off for the US on Monday
By Tom Gott
Reece James was sent for a scan on a potential knee injury just days before Chelsea are due to head off to the United States to begin their pre-season tour.
The right-back has been plagued by injuries during the past few seasons, playing just 26 Premier League games in 2021/22 and seeing that number drop down to 16 last year, having seen his campaign ended prematurely due to a hamstring injury.
James has spent the summer recovering and working on his fitness, but according to The Athletic, complained of pain in his knee during a training session in the early days of pre-season.
Chelsea opted to send James for a precautionary scan on his knee which has confirmed that the injury is only 'minor'.
As a result, James is still expected to head out to the United States with the rest of the squad on Monday.
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Chelsea opted to recruit a new right-back in January, splashing out to sign 20-year-old Malo Gusto from Lyon. The Frenchman remained on loan in France until this summer but has now joined up with his new teammates for pre-season.
With Cesar Azpilicueta leaving to join Atletico Madrid, Gusto is expected to operate as cover for James over the coming season.
Fitness has been a key part of Mauricio Pochettino's early sessions, with the new Chelsea manager keen to put an end to the alarming wave of injuries which has swept through Stamford Bridge in the past two seasons.
Alongside the arrival of Pochettino's staff, Chelsea are also reported to have signed Australian sports scientist Bryce Cavanagh, who has earned significant praise for his work with Gareth Southgate's England squad.
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