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Reece James last turned out for Chelsea in their fixture against Newcastle last month.

The Blues’ skipper has managed to avoid any major injuries throughout the current season, featuring in 36 matches across all competitions — his highest tally since the 2021/22 campaign.

However, the right-back has been sidelined since mid-March due to a hamstring problem, raising concerns that he might be facing another setback.

James’s last appearance came in Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on 14 March, which also saw him miss the most recent England training camp.

Liam Rosenior indicated that the England international was progressing well in his rehabilitation ahead of last weekend’s 7-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Port Vale.

Yet, the big question remains: will James be available for Sunday’s Premier League showdown against title contenders Manchester City at Stamford Bridge?

Rosenior couldn’t provide a clear answer on that front.

“I don't know,” he admitted when asked if James would be ready to face City. “We take things day by day, so I don’t want to announce a timeline and then not meet it, which could put unnecessary pressure on the players. But I can say they’re all putting in a lot of effort right now.”

Given his recent injury history, it appears that this weekend’s fixture might come too early for James.

Chelsea are unlikely to risk aggravating his hamstring issue, especially with the World Cup now just a couple of months away. The 26-year-old will be eager to regain full fitness ahead of the tournament, where he is expected to play a vital role for the Three Lions in North America.

Chelsea, meanwhile, will be keen to have their captain back for the decisive run-in of the season. Rosenior’s men are pushing for a top-five finish in the Premier League to secure Champions League qualification.

The coming weeks promise to be hectic for the Blues, who face Manchester United after hosting City, then travel to Brighton & Hove Albion before their FA Cup semi-final clash against Leeds United on 25 April.

Having Reece James available for those key encounters could provide Chelsea with a significant lift as they chase both domestic and European ambitions.