• Captain has played only 15 times since start of last season
• Club will look to support James after latest setback

Reece James is not expected to play before the end of December after a scan revealed the extent of the Chelsea right-back’s latest hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old, who has made only four appearances this season, had hoped his fitness woes were behind him after surgery last year. Chelsea’s captain had the procedure with the aim of reviving his career after tearing a hamstring.