Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has provided an injury update on two instrumental players, who have had little to no action this season.
Lauren James has been out since October after injuring her calf while playing for the Blues in the UEFA Women's Champions League.
The incident also ruled her out of England's last two international breaks, which saw them face Germany, South Africa, the United States women's national team and Switzerland.
Despite the claims, the 23-year-old would likely make a return before Chelsea's. Women's Super League During the clash against Brighton this weekend, Bompastor revealed to the media on Friday that “it will be difficult to see her before the end of the year”.
“She’s in a good place mentally,” she said. “We expect that she will be able to play with us in January. I knew from the beginning that it was going to be more than six weeks, I was just trying to be optimistic. I knew it would be difficult for her to come back. before January.
“She's progressing. I saw her on the field, and she's starting to run and touch the ball, so that's a good sign and she'll be fresh for January, that's for sure.”
The five-time WSL title winners sit at the top of the table, five points ahead of Manchester City, as the 2024/25 campaign approaches the halfway point. It was clear from the start that the team had maintained their high standards under the new management of Bompastor following the departure of Emma Hayes.
However, they were left without striker Sam Kerr. The 31-year-old tore her anterior cruciate ligament in January, seeing her miss the second half of the 2023/24 campaign as well as all matches in the current season.
Although Bompastor hinted in November that Kerr could return to training by the end of the calendar year, she has since said that won't happen.
“We hope to have Sam back with us in February or March,” Bompastor said. “She hasn't started training yet, even after being changed to the group. She is still in her individual rehabilitation process and I think it will take at least two or three months for her to be fit enough to be part of the team.”
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