Ben Chilwell is expected to be out for four weeks due to a hamstring injury
Ben Chilwell is expected to be out for four weeks due to a hamstring injury, although early indications suggest that a more serious injury is unlikely.
He is expected to miss Chelsea’s next two games, against Fulham and Burnley, before the international break in October.
A four-week absence would be regarded acceptable, but there is widespread anxiety about vice-captain Chilwell, who suffered his third hamstring injury since the start of last season in a clash with Billy Gilmour.
Ben Chilwell is expected to be out for four weeks due to a hamstring injury
Marc Cucurella and Ian Maatsen are competing to replace Chilwell in Chelsea’s match against Fulham on Monday.
Mauricio Pochettino now has nine players on the sidelines due to injury, with Malo Gusto and Nicolas Jackson also suspended for the trip to Craven Cottage.
Chilwell is unlikely to be included in Gareth Southgate’s next England team, which will be named next Thursday for a friendly against Australia and a Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy.
Southgate is dealing with an injury issue at left-back, with both Chilwell and Luke Shaw out. Rico Henry of Brentford, who had been aiming for his first call-up, has also been ruled out due to knee surgery.
As cover for England, Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier will most likely swap from right-back to left-back, with Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell in line to be recalled.
Meanwhile, Reece James is anticipated to accept his FA charge for allegedly using “improper and/or insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour” toward a match official in the tunnel during Aston Villa’s 1-0 home defeat on Sunday.
The Chelsea captain might face a ban after allegedly approaching referee Jarred Gillett, despite the fact that he did not play due to a hamstring injury.
He has till Friday to respond to the charge as part of his rehabilitation on the grass at Cobham.
