Reece James hasn’t recovered sufficiently from the knee injury he picked up against AC Milan last month playing for Chelsea; Gareth Southgate spoke with the right-back on Tuesday; Southgate did not want to risk taking him in his 26-man squad which he will announce on Thursday at 2pm
After discussions with Gareth Southgate on Tuesday, it was decided the Chelsea full-back has not recovered sufficiently from the knee injury he picked up against AC Milan last month.
James flew to Dubai to undergo an intensive rehabilitation programme in an attempt to be fit for Qatar and was even doing some tentative running at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground in recent days.
However, with injury concerns to another key England right-back – Kyle Walker – and to midfielder Kalvin Phillips, Southgate has taken the tough decision to tell James that he cannot risk including him in his 26-man squad that will be announced on Thursday.
“People close to James have told Sky Sports News the 22-year-old and his family are devastated that he will miss out, but they understand the England manager’s decision.
“There was hope, certainly from the player and his family and everyone around Chelsea that he could play some part in the World Cup, but he’s lost his race.
