Chelsea will be without Lauren James for at least five matches, and England may be too. Manager Sonia Bompastor confirmed on Friday that the 25-year-old has a hamstring injury, a blow that casts doubt on her availability for the World Cup qualifying play-off matches against Ukraine in December.
What Bompastor said
James came off in distress in the 35th minute of Chelsea's 6-0 win at Charlton last weekend. After a scan, Bompastor was blunt: "The only one who will be missing is LJ. She had a scan and she has an injury in her hamstring, so we won't see her until the end of this block." She will miss Everton's visit to Stamford Bridge on Saturday and a crucial match against champions Manchester City next weekend.
Chelsea have options
There was some good news. Midfielder Lexi Potter, who made her England debut last month, is back after missing the trip to Charlton. Chelsea are top of the Women's Super League and have won both with and without James this season, which Bompastor was keen to point out.
"Of course we know how good Lauren is for us and for the team," she said. "My job is to make sure I find solutions when some players are not available." She noted that against Charlton, many players were involved in the scoring and every player on the pitch had a shot on goal, which she took as a sign the team can score through different people.
The England question
For England, the worry is timing. Five matches take in the City game and more, and the Ukraine play-offs follow in December. There is no confirmed return date and the club has said only that she will be out until the end of this block of fixtures. Chelsea can cope in the short term; England's coaching staff will be watching her recovery carefully.
Injury facts: Lauren James, 25, hamstring injury sustained against Charlton Athletic, substituted in the 35th minute. Out for at least five Chelsea matches. England play Ukraine in World Cup qualifying play-offs in December.
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