Chelsea is awaiting the scan results on club captain Reece James, who recently sustained a hamstring injury.
Following Cesar Azpilicueta’s departure from the team in the summer, the England international was named the team’s new captain earlier this month.
Last Sunday’s 1-1 tie with Liverpool saw James take the armband off due to “tiredness,” according to manager Mauricio Pochettino, but he later put it back on.
Sky Italy reports that additional tests have identified a hamstring strain, and Chelsea must now wait in suspense to learn the full degree of the harm.
The 23-year-old was limited to 24 games last season and did not participate in the World Cup because of a knee injury he suffered during a Champions League victory against Milan almost a year ago.
Malo Gusto stepped in for James during the final minutes of the match against Liverpool, and Pochettino expects the summer purchase from Lyon to fill in against West Ham on Sunday as he looks to earn his first competitive victory.
Meanwhile, Chelsea has grudgingly agreed to sell Lewis Hall after Newcastle made a £28 million offer.
The kid had an impressive breakthrough last season, and while the Blues had no intention of offloading one of their most promising young players at the beginning of the summer, the offer—even though it came from a Premier League rival—has been deemed too good to refuse.
In addition, Michael Olise’s decision to sign a new four-year contract with Crystal Palace has derailed Pochettino’s efforts to sign him from the Eagles.
Chelsea expected to close a deal fast and this week activated the 21-year-old’s £35 million release clause.
However, Palace, incensed by Chelsea’s offer, has persuaded the former Reading star to commit his near future to the team and take the lead in Selhurst Park’s post-Wilfried Zaha era.