James, who signed a new six-year contract to stay at the club last week, missed open training with the rest of the Chelsea squad on Monday – ahead of the Champions League last 16 decider against Paris Saint-Germain.

Sources, speaking anonymously to The Athletic to protect relationships, said James was expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks, with Liam Rosenior, the Chelsea head coach, expected to provide an update when he addresses the media on Monday afternoon.

This is the 10th different hamstring injury James has had to either leg since December 2020 and comes at the worst possible time for Chelsea.

Rosenior’s side have dropped to sixth in the Premier League table after winning just one of their last five league games.

They take on PSG at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, trailing the Ligue 1 club 5-2 from the first match last week. Chelsea are still in the FA Cup and have a winnable quarter final at home to Port Vale on April 4.

James looked a certainty to be named in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup but will now miss the friendlies later this month against Uruguay and Japan.

Tuchel must name his World Cup squad by FIFA’s deadline of May 30. England’s first match is on June 17 and the final is on July 19.

Chelsea’s last game of the season is at Sunderland on May 24, which is 10 weeks from today.

James, who has played regularly for the past 15 months after being managed carefully by the club, was asked on Friday how he felt fitness-wise. He replied: “I’m in a really good place at the moment, my body’s feeling good. I’m playing on a regular basis, two or three games a week and I just try and help the team as much as I can and do what’s right.”

The 24-year-old limped off in the first half of Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat at Everton last week with a recurring hamstring injury and underwent an operation to try and solve the issue.

It is James’ third longer-term hamstring problem within the last 12 months which prompted negative and abusive messages from fans towards the England full-back.

James took to social media to give an update following the operation.

He posted on Instagram: “The footballing world knew I got injured but the procedure I would go down this time took slightly longer to figure out the best solution.

“I had surgery today to try fix my reoccurring hamstring issue, the recovery has started, both physically and mentally.

“Since this injury, I’ve had a good amount of support but significantly more hate and negativity. Believe me, I don’t wanna be injured, I’m happiest when I’m playing football.

“Thanks to the understanding people that support me despite the highs or the lows, it goes a long way. Stay well, Reece.”