Bad news for the Lionesses! England lose injured Chelsea star Lauren James ahead of Belgium Nations League return

The Chelsea star did not return for the second half of England's 5-0 Nations League win over Belgium on Friday. Now, the Football Association has confirmed the winger has returned to her club to begin rehab on her hamstring, with Tottenham's Jess Naz called up in her stead.

The FA statement reads: "Jess Naz has been called into the England squad for Tuesday's UEFA Women's Nations League return fixture against Belgium in Leuven. Naz replaces Lauren James who will return to Chelsea to begin rehabilitation on a hamstring injury sustained in yesterday's 5-0 win against the same opponents in Bristol. The 24-player squad have returned to St. George's Park before flying to Belgium on Sunday."

While losing James for England is a blow, Chelsea will be more worried about the 23-year-old ahead of a crucial last stretch of the season. The Blues have an FA Cup semi-final, are into the last four of the Champions League, and are pushing to win the Women's Super League as they bid for an historic quadruple. If James is out for those games, the west London team's task just became a whole lot harder.

The Lionesses, who are top of a Nations League group that also includes Spain and Portugal, will hope to end this international break on a high when they travel to Leuven to take on Belgium again on Tuesday.