Chelsea defender Reece James is reportedly due to undergoing a scan on his latest hamstring injury.
The academy graduate, who was made club captain at the start of the season, has suffered a number of hamstring and knee issues over the past two years.
In total, James has made six starts and three substitute outings in all competitions during 2023-24, but he is yet to complete 90 minutes.
Having had a week off from competitive action due to serving a suspension, the England international would have hoped to have been in prime condition to face Manchester United and Everton last week.
Instead, the 24-year-old featured for just the second half at Old Trafford before pulling up injured ahead of the half-hour mark versus the Toffees on Sunday.
After the game, head coach Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged that he felt disappointed for James after yet another fitness issue this campaign.
As per the Evening Standard, James hopes that requesting a withdrawal at the earliest opportunity will aid the recovery process.
Nevertheless, James will now undergo scans to determine whether he will be able to play any part of the upcoming Christmas and New Year period.
While Chelsea are not back in action until December 16 when they play host to Sheffield United, they then play five fixtures in the space of two weeks.
Pochettino has recently been without backup right-back Malo Gusto due to a knee injury, but the Frenchman is expected to return to the fold in due course.
Axel Disasi and Marc Cucurella can also be called upon to deputise for James, although the pair are better equipped to feature in the centre and on the left respectively.
The same outlet have claimed that Pochettino is keen to add a new centre-back, central midfield and forward to his ranks during the January transfer window.
Much will depend on how Chelsea tackle their ongoing quest to remain within FFP criteria at a time when they now sit down in 12th position in the Premier League standings. body check tags ::
