By OkayGoal
Chelsea will be without Lauren James for the rest of the current run of fixtures after a scan confirmed a hamstring injury. Sonia Bompastor gave the news at her press conference on Friday, ahead of Saturday’s WSL meeting with Everton at Stamford Bridge (12:45 UK time).
The England forward pulled up during last Sunday’s 6-0 win over Charlton Athletic at The Valley. She lasted 35 minutes before Erin Cuthbert came on in her place, and at the time Bompastor could say little beyond the fact that the problem was in the hamstring. The follow-up scan has now given Chelsea a clearer picture, and it is not the one they wanted.
Out until the international break
“LJ will be missing the games until the end of the block,” Bompastor said, as reported by DAVE Sport. That rules James out of the Everton game and of next weekend’s home clash with Manchester City, the side sitting just behind Chelsea at the top of the table on goal difference. According to BBC Sport, she is set to miss at least five matches in total.
No exact return date has been given. The timing also leaves a question mark over England’s World Cup qualifying play-off against Ukraine in December. James has not been ruled out of those games, but her availability for the Lionesses is uncertain for now.
Bompastor did not hide how much the winger will be missed. “Of course we know how good Lauren is for us and for the team,” she said.
Potter back, Girma still missing
There was better news on Lexi Potter. The defender missed the Charlton game after a minor knee problem picked up in the 2-0 Women’s Champions League win over Roma, but she returned to training this week. “We have Lexi Potter who is back in the squad and in contention for the game,” Bompastor said.
Naomi Girma remains sidelined with a calf injury and Mayra Ramírez is also still unavailable, according to the SB Nation team news published on Yahoo Sports.
Chelsea’s depth put to the test
Losing James is a blow for a Chelsea side in strong form. Bompastor’s team have won seven league matches in a row and have scored 18 goals across their last four WSL outings, with every player who featured at Charlton trying at least one shot. The squad’s depth in attack will now be tested through a demanding stretch that includes a title rival at Stamford Bridge.
Everton arrive in eighth place on 10 points from eight games and have their own injury list to manage, with Holly McNamara, Inma Gabarro, Zara Kramžar, Karen Holmgaard and Honoka Hayashi among those unavailable.
Catch up on more Chelsea coverage: Malard double sets Chelsea on way to 6-0 WSL win at Charlton and Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and Lauren James Among Six Lionesses Given MBEs.
For James, it means another spell on the sidelines at a key point of the season. Chelsea and England will both be watching her recovery closely over the coming weeks.
