Following confirmation that Chelsea club captain Reece James has undergone minor knee surgery, his expected return date can now be revealed.

In a club statement released on Friday morning (October 16), Chelsea revealed that the England international had suffered an injury during training in the build-up to the Blues’ 5-1 Premier League victory over Bournemouth.

James hasn’t played for Chelsea since the 2-2 draw against Hull City on September 12, having been sidelined for the 3-0 away defeat to Brentford and the most recent victory over Bournemouth on October 10.

The 26-year-old also missed international duty with England following an injury that was initially confirmed by Thomas Tuchel. The extended break allowed the versatile midfielder to regroup and recover, but the latest news comes as a massive blow to Xabi Alonso’s side.

According to Standard Sport, Chelsea’s club captain is not expected to return to action for at least three months, with his comeback anticipated no earlier than mid-January.

The timescale for his return remains an estimate, with no indication that Chelsea will rush him back into action.

A potential three-month absence would represent a major blow for new boss Xabi Alonso.

After recently being without Moises Caicedo for five of the first six Premier League matches, losing his club captain for the foreseeable future represents another bump in the road.

If James returns in mid-January, he is expected to miss at least 15 matches across three competitions. Notable fixtures include both Premier League and League Cup meetings with Liverpool. The Blues will also travel to the Etihad to take on Manchester City.

Depending on Chelsea’s progress in the League Cup, James could also miss a League Cup quarter-final and potentially the first leg of a semi-final, depending on Chelsea’s progress. With the FA Cup returning in the first week of January, he is also likely to be absent for that competition.

Chelsea’s interest in Alex Scott could intensify in James’ absence, particularly after Bournemouth recently made the midfielder available for transfer at the right price, according to reports.

In the short term, Alonso has Caicedo, Jordan Henderson, Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco available, making it increasingly important for Chelsea to keep their remaining midfielders fit. 

With the next international break scheduled for mid-November, the west London side have three Premier League fixtures remaining in October, starting with an away trip to Everton before hosting Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in back-to-back home games.