Chelsea captain Reece James is set to miss up to three months after 'successful minor knee surgery'

Reece James, 26, has undergone successful minor knee surgery and is unlikely to return before mid-January, dealing another injury blow to Chelsea and England. The Blues confirmed the operation on Friday, with reports indicating the club will not rush their captain back prematurely. James suffered the knee injury in training on 9 October, a day before Chelsea's 5-1 win over Bournemouth, compounding an earlier hamstring problem that had already ruled him out of the Brentford defeat and the international break.

James has now missed seven Premier League matches this season and is set to sit out Saturday's trip to Everton.

Xabi Alonso had initially suggested the injury might need only a few weeks of recovery before surgery was confirmed as necessary.

Jordan Henderson, who scored twice against Bournemouth including a free-kick, and Moises Caicedo are expected to fill the midfield void.