Chelsea’s Reece James has surgery for knee issue

Chelsea captain Reece James is expected to miss around three months after having surgery on a knee injury. He was hurt in training before Chelsea’s 5-1 win over Bournemouth, and the club’s medical staff are overseeing his rehabilitation, though no return date has been set.

The 26-year-old’s absence comes during a demanding run of fixtures, including matches against Everton, Tottenham and Manchester United, plus a Carabao Cup trip to Liverpool. James has had several injury-hit seasons, but his fitness improved last season and he played a prominent part in England’s World Cup campaign, which ended with a semi-final and a bronze-medal win. He withdrew from the latest England squad; the team’s next international break begins in early November.