Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca confirmed the latest setback for the England international in his latest press conference as the defender is plagued once more with injuries.
"We have, for sure, just one injured player and that is Reece. Unfortunately, he felt something small and we do not want to take a risk with him at the weekend," Maresca said on Thursday.
James has been restricted to just 18 starts for Chelsea since December 2022 with many frustrated with the 24-year-old who also missed the 2022 World Cup because of a knee injury before undergoing surgery.
The defender has made only three starts this season and could be out for some time as he recovers once more from one of many injuries that has pushed his progress as a once world class fullback further back.
- Get breaking football news faster with the new Tribal Football app! Download now on iOS and Android to stay ahead of all the latest transfers and football updates. Download now: App Store, Google Play