Chelsea have been hit with an injury scare as Reece James has been sent for a scan on his knee days before the club are set to embark on a pre-season tour of the US.
Under the stewardship of new boss Mauricio Pochettino, the Blues will play four friendlies stateside this summer, starting with a clash with Wrexham in North Carolina on Wednesday.
The Argentinian faces a stern test ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign, after inheriting a side that slumped to 12th last season, despite a Todd Boehly spending big in his first full season as the club's owner.
Despite their disappointing performances on the pitch last season, the Blues squad contains a wealth of individual talent, not least academy graduate James.
According to a report from the Evening Standard, Chelsea are expecting positive news regarding the scan but were keen to get a medical evaluation on the 23-year-old's condition after he complained of feeling pain.
The news will no doubt come as a worry to Blues fans, particularly given James' struggles with injury last season.
The England star started the campaign well, starting eight of the club's first ten Premier League games in a tumultuous period that saw Thomas Tuchel replaced by Graham Potter.
However, a knee injury in October saw James forced onto the sidelines, as he missed out being part of Gareth Southgate's England squad for the World Cup.
The full-back returned to action in February, but his stint in the squad was short lived as further injuries restricted him to a total of just 14 Premier League starts for the entire season.
Meanwhile, Hakim Ziyech, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Romelu Lukaku have not travelled with the squad for the pre-season tour.
Marseille are reportedly interested in bringing Aubameyang to Ligue 1, whilst Lukaku finds himself in the middle of a Serie A tug-of-war as Juventus and Inter Milan battle to secure his signature for the coming season.
Blues academy graduate Callum Hudson-Odoi is also not heading on the tour, with the 22-year-old also expected to depart Stamford Bridge this summer.