Chelsea right-back Reece James has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury in the build-up to the Blues’ final pre-season friendly against Inter.

James, 24, suffered a hamstring issue in the opening game of the 2023/24 season and was restricted to just 11 appearances in all competitions, having managed just 24 outings across the entire 2022/23 campaign because of fitness problems.

Chelsea avoided any major injury concerns across their pre-season tour of the United States, in which James started all five games, but The Athletic revealed the club captain has been struck down by a fresh hamstring injury since his return to England.

The latest issue is described as “minor” but it will not doubt be of concern to James and the Chelsea medical staff as they seek to avoid a repeat of last season’s injury nightmare.

James has been ruled out of Sunday’s final friendly against Inter but, having started five games already this summer, the right-back may have been benched for this one anyway after manager Enzo Maresca admitted a desire to see how the team sets up without James.

A frustrating red card in the penultimate game of last season saw James hit with a four-match ban which carries over to the coming campaign. Having sat out the final game of last year, James must miss the first three outings of Maresca’s tenure.

“We will see if it’s tomorrow or one of the games we have ahead,” Maresca said ahead of the friendly against Manchester City as he prepared for life without his captain. “Because he is suspended, we need to try without him.”

James will automatically miss Chelsea’s Premier League opener against City but is now also expected to miss the Conference League play-off clash with either Braga or Servette, which will be played across August 22 and 29.

Around those fixtures, James will also be suspended for league games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace but could make his return after September’s international break against Bournemouth.

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