Chelsea captain Reece James is set to miss around three months after undergoing knee surgery.
James suffered the injury during training on Friday, Oct. 9, one day before Chelsea's 5-1 Premier League victory over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.
On Friday, Oct. 16, the west London club confirmed that James had undergone successful minor knee surgery.
"The 26-year-old was absent from Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge while medical assessments took place following the injury suffered in training," a Chelsea statement said. "Those assessments confirmed surgery would be the required course of action.
"Reece has already begun his road to recovery and will be supported by the club's medical department at Cobham during this rehabilitation
phase.
"Everyone at Chelsea wishes Reece a speedy recovery and will support him on his road to return."
Throughout his career, James has suffered a plethora of injuries. Since the 2019-20 campaign, the England international has missed 147 matches across all competitions.
At a press conference on Friday, Oct. 16, manager Xabi Alonso said that the defender would be out at least until around Christmas. Multiple reports put the 26-year-old's timetable around three months, which would see him potentially return in January.
"We are all disappointed, especially for him," said the Spanish manager. "In the last training session, he picked up an injury. He will be close to the team and he is a great influence. We wish him a good recovery.
"We don't give timelines. It won't be short, it will be a few weeks. We will see before Christmas, after Christmas, we will see."
This season, James has appeared in six matches across all competitions for his boyhood club.
Currently, Chelsea is sixth in the Premier League table, accumulating 10 points in six matches during the campaign.
On Saturday, the west London side travels to Hill Dickinson Stadium to take on Everton, which sits one place above them in the table.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chelsea captain Reece James sidelined after knee surgery
