'He's a little bit down' - Reece James finding latest injury blow 'difficult to accept' as Mauricio Pochettino unsure when Chelsea star can return

The Chelsea captain was handed a start against Everton last Sunday for the first time since November 25 but he was forced off before the half-hour mark with a fresh hamstring injury - one that is likely to keep him sidelined until at least February. After sustaining multiple injuries over the past year or so, manager Pochettino says the 24-year-old is a "little bit down" especially as he was excited to return to the first-team.

The Chelsea boss said on Friday: "I prefer not to talk too much now. We need to know better the situation. I think he's a little bit down because he was very excited to come back. How we build him back was perfect because it was step by step. First play 25 minutes, then 30 minutes, 35, 45, 60 minutes.

"It was in a perfect way we tried to build his confidence and full recovery and for him it's difficult to accept. He feel very disappointed, very frustrated. Now we need to be careful in the way we talk and also assess and try to find the resolution for him to be consistent."

In the past few seasons, James has had hamstring, knee, and muscle injuries that have forced him to miss dozens of games for Chelsea. The Blues captain has spent more time on the sidelines than on the pitch this season in what is becoming a worrying trend for him, the club and England.

James will undergo a period of rehab as he tries to overcome this latest injury setback. In the short-term, Chelsea host lowly Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.