Reece James update: Mauricio Pochettino offers update on when Chelsea surgery decision will be made

Mauricio Pochettino has offered an update on whether Reece James will undergo surgery following another injury setback.

James, who was named as the new club captain during the summer, was forced off during the 2-0 defeat to Everton earlier this month.

The 24-year-old is expected to be sidelined for at least three months with the latest hamstring injury, however should surgery be decided as the best option it will leave him absent for an extended period and all but leave him out of this summer’s European Championship in Germany.

Pochettino confirmed on Friday the process which Chelsea will follow before a decision over James’ rehabilitation is made.

“We are all now thinking how we are going to approach the situation and trying to find maybe different solutions, different strategies,” the Chelsea boss told reporters.

“I prefer not to talk too much because it is a situation that is not a nice situation because I know how he is suffering and his family of course.

“He was so excited to be back again and to be fit to help the team in this situation and, yes, we need to be cautious in the way we talk. First we need to settle the basis in the way we are going to proceed with his recovery.”

Pochettino was quizzed on James on Monday afternoon when he previewed Chelsea’s Carabao Cup quarter-final tie against Newcastle United.

No further update was offered as Pochettino confirmed the situation would become clearer towards the end of the week.

Pochettino said: “At the moment no (I have no update on surgery). We don’t know. Today is Monday, still time to see.

“We will see in the next few days and we will know the possibilities.”

Pochettino has Malo Gusto back and available to utilise during James’ absence. He suffered a knee injury which left Axel Disasi and Marc Cucurella, who has just undergone ankle surgery, as the only available temporary right-back options in recent weeks.