´The race against time is on, but we won´t give up´ – Chelsea´s James clinging onto World Cup dream

Reece James has not given up on his World Cup dream despite being ruled out for eight weeks with a knee injury.

James was substituted during Chelsea’s 2-0 Champions League triumph over Milan in midweek, and the Blues confirmed on Saturday that the right-back would undergo a “rehabilitation programme” that will keep him sidelined for two months.

That would mean him missing England’s World Cup campaign in Qatar, which starts against Iran on November 22.

A statement on Chelsea’s official website read: “Following the knee injury sustained in our away match against Milan, Reece has received treatment from the Chelsea medical department and visited a specialist this weekend.

“After consultation between all parties, Reece will now undergo a rehabilitation programme and is expected to be out for eight weeks.”

James, however, does not appear to have written off the possibility of making Gareth Southgate’s squad.

Posting on Twitter, the 22-year-old said: “The race against time is on… But we won’t give up.”

The race against time is on… But we won’t give up.

— Reece James (@ReeceJames) October 15, 2022

Southgate faces a problem on the right side of defence ahead of the tournament, with fellow right-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker also battling injuries.

Walker faces a race to be fit in time to make the squad after undergoing surgery for a groin issue, while Alexander-Arnold has struggled for form this season and is sidelined with an ankle problem.