Chelsea have been handed a fresh double injury concern as the 2020/21 Premier League campaign fast approaches.
Injury caused Reece James to withdraw from the England Under-21 squad and has been replaced by Tariq Lamptey, while Chelsea are also assessing a knee problem Hakim Ziyech picked up during Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Brighton.
The extent of Blues right-back James injury is not yet known, but former Chelsea youngster Lamptey, who left west London for Brighton in January, has been drafted in his place.
Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi, Conor Gallagher and Marc Guehi remain part of England’s squad.
James, 20, made 24 league appearances for Frank Lampard’s side last season.
Ziyech, who joined from Ajax in July, impressed on his debut for the Blues on the south coast and helped set up fellow debutant Timo Werner for Chelsea’s goal in the 1-1 draw.
He went off in the second half with a slight injury, although Lampard said it was a slight twist of the knee and does not believe the problem is a cause for concern.
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Lampard’s men return to the Amex to face Brighton in their Premier League opener on Sunday, September 14.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
