Chelsea defender Reece James set to miss England's World Cup

has announced that

will be out of action for two months after he suffered a knee injury against Milan in the Champions League.

The Athletic reported on Saturday that James has visited a consultant and the decision has been taken for him not to have surgery but now Chelsea has confirmed that without surgery he will be out of action for eight weeks.

A statement on the club's official website read:

"Following the knee injury sustained in our away match against Milan, Reece has received treatment from the Chelsea medical department and visited a specialist this weekend.

"After consultation between all parties, Reece will now undergo a rehabilitation programme and is expected to be out for eight weeks.

"

The 22-year-old James injury is a huge blow to England manager Gareth Southgate as the Qatar World Cup will begin on November 20 and now it seems certain that James will not be included in the England squad.

Reports on Saturday suggest that Southgate may take even an unfit James as part of England's squad, with an eye on the latter stages of the tournament but now that seems unlikely.

England will begin their World Cup campaign on November 21 against Iran before facing the United States and Wales.

Two other Chelsea players N’Golo Kanté and Wesley Fofana also are out of action and it is expected both will miss the World Cup.

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