Chelsea news: Reece James misses the Blues' clash with Brighton just weeks after an injury scare at Cobham.
Mauricio Pochettino named his second XI as Chelsea coach with star player Reece James left out of the matchday squad.
Having beaten newly promoted League 2 side Wrexham 5-0 in his first match in charge earlier this week, Roberto De Zerbi's impressive Brighton side are next on the agenda.
James has also had injury worries to deal with this summer. He missed the final six games of the 2022/23 campaign, playing no part in matches after the Blues were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter final stage by Real Madrid. He played in both legs but struggled to match the physical expectations at Stamford Bridge in particular.
It follows a sustained period of consistent setbacks for James. He not only missed half of the matches last year but was also out for a prolonged time during 2021/22 with a damaging knee injury. Last season it was his hamstring and knee that caused issues and football.london understands that he had precautionary scans after the first few days of training at Cobham earlier this summer.
James felt a pain in his knee but it isn't thought to be serious and his availbility in training in America has been a major boost for Pochettino. Upon seeing the England star he said "we missed you" and will soon be able to rely on him in action.
For now James remains sidelined as a continuation of the precaution from his injury as well as lacking time on the field. Fellow defender Levi Colwill as well as Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk all missed out in the first game of the tour having returned to the group late following the Under-21 European Championship.