Lauren James hamstring injury Chelsea, Digi Mart USA News: Chelsea Women manager Sonia Bompastor says a scan has confirmed a hamstring injury for Lauren James, who BBC Sport reports will miss at least five matches and may also miss England’s World Cup qualifying play-offs against Ukraine.
Lauren James will miss at least Chelsea’s next five matches with the injury, including the meeting with title rivals Manchester City, BBC Sport reports. Bompastor confirmed on Friday, November 6, that a scan had identified the problem after James was forced off during Chelsea’s 6-0 win at Charlton on Sunday.
James, 25, was replaced by Erin Cuthbert after 35 minutes at The Valley. Chelsea initially needed further assessment before establishing the extent of the injury.
The head coach said the forward would be unavailable for the remainder of the current fixture block.
“LJ will be missing the games until the end of the block,” Bompastor said. The news rules James out of Everton’s visit on Saturday, November 7, and the Manchester City match the following weekend.
Chelsea lead the Women’s Super League on goal difference ahead of City, making the loss particularly significant.
No exact return date has been announced, and Chelsea have not named a comeback fixture. That does not confirm she will be fit immediately after the fifth game.
The injury also raises doubts over James’s availability for England’s World Cup qualifying play-offs against Ukraine in December, though she has not been confirmed out of those matches.
There was better news on Lexi Potter, who is back in contention for Saturday’s match against Everton at Stamford Bridge. Potter missed the Charlton victory with a small knee injury sustained during Chelsea’s 2-0 Women’s Champions League win over Roma.
“We have Lexi Potter who is back in the squad and in contention for the game,” Bompastor said.
Bompastor acknowledged James’s importance but pointed to Chelsea’s ability to share goals across the team. The six-goal win at Charlton offered evidence of that attacking depth, with several scorers and every Chelsea player who appeared having attempted a shot.
The coach has not confirmed how she will reshape the side without James.
