Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has issued an injury update on Lauren James ahead of her side’s Women’s Super League (WSL) clash against Liverpool on Sunday.
The London club have won their first five league games so far against Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, arsenalTottenham and Everton. He is currently second in the standings by just one point Manchester City having played one fewer game than their title rivals.
Last season, Chelsea won their home game against Liverpool but were beaten 4–3 away at the end of the campaign. After securing a top-four finish last season, the Merseyside club are currently sixth in the table with two wins from six games.
Bompastor provided an injury update when he addressed the media in a pre-match press conference on Thursday, and while two players are closing in on a return to fitness, James is still several weeks away.
“At the moment we only have Lauren Hames who is still injured,” the coach said. “I think I already said that it will be difficult to give a date for his return, or a correct date.
“For sure he won’t be back before the next international break. Otherwise, it’s very good team news as Lucy (Bronze) and Catarina (Macario) are back in the squad and will be available for the game against Liverpool.”
James retired from the England team before the last international break and missed the games against Germany and South Africa. The 23-year-old picked up a calf injury before Chelsea Champions League win over FC Twente last month.
The striker had featured in four of the team’s first five games in all competitions and scored a goal in the win over Crystal Palace in September. Last season, James scored 16 goals and recorded three assists in all competitions for the team.
The next international break will take place between November 25 and December 3, with England facing the USA and Switzerland. With James not expected to return until early December, he will miss two Champions League games against Celtic, as well as WSL clashes against Manchester City and Manchester United.
