Reece James missed Chelsea’s game against Leicester City, after suffering a hamstring injury.

The Chelsea captain was expected to be out for a short time, but reports now have it that Reece James will be out for longer, after suffering another hamstring injury, The Telegraph reports.

Although Chelsea have not confirmed the results of this week’s scan, James may not be back until the new year, depending on how his recovery progresses.

Reece James current hamstring setback, is not a recurrence of a previous problem. Rather, it’s a new injury that requires an extensive rehabilitation program.

As a result, Chelsea are taking a patient approach with James, to avoid any pressure on him to return. Chelsea are prepared to support their captain both physically and mentally throughout his recovery.

Reacting to Reece James’s latest injury setback, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said: “Yes, we cannot say because we do not know how long the recovery time is. He is getting better day by day. We are waiting for him.

“We do not know exactly so we will not say how many days he needs.

“It is something he has to fight in terms of it’s normal, when you get injured, you become afraid, it’s normal on that. At the same time, it is his profession. You can get injured.

“For sure, if we have him, we are more happy because we can use him and he can help us in different ways.

“We don’t have doubt that when he played from the start or from the bench, he always helped us. Now, he’s injured.”