Chelsea defender Reece James has said that he will work until the final moment to be available for the 2022 World Cup.
The 22-year-old, who was set to start for England at the tournament next month, has been on the sidelines since suffering a knee injury against AC Milan in the Champions League on October 11.
James is still in a brace and on crutches, as he undergoes his rehabilitation, and it seems unlikely that he will be able to prove his fitness to Three Lions head coach Gareth Southgate in time to be involved in Qatar.
However, the right-back has said that he will "keep working hard over the next few weeks" and is refusing to close the door on his involvement in the tournament.
"I need to keep working hard over the next few weeks and see where I am on call-up day. I will try and not rule myself out. It is still slow and in the early stages. I have been in rehab for two weeks, so I am still taking it day-by-day," James told The Sun.
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"The Chelsea medical staff have not given me a percentage of my chance of being back for the World Cup. It is down to how I feel closer to the time and how stable it is. It is going to be very tough.
"It is an injury which could take a long time and it came at an awkward period but I am trying my best and hopefully it is possible and if it is not, I know I tried everything. I am trying to be positive. I am not sure how long this injury will take.
"I am not in pain. But if I try to speed it up, it might be a bit of a risk. I am trying hard every day to improve and make it right and get fit as soon as possible. You are more gutted in the early stages of the injury and then you have to get your head around it.
"I don't know when I will be able to run again. I ask that question every day but the medical team do not give many answers. You don't go from walking to running. That is a difficult thing about injuries — you have to do it in stages, so I have to start running in the pool first.
"Hopefully, this will be in the coming days. Each day, I come in and get assessed and then I go on electric machines and receive therapy. I go to the gym and the pool. After that, more treatment."
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When describing his injury, James added: "It was just one challenge. The ball was mid-air, I tried to stud it down but my foot got caught and I got barged to the side and my leg went out.
"I felt like I could have carried on but we were 2-0 up and they were down to ten men so I thought it was best to stop. It felt fine. We did tests and it seemed like I tweaked it and only when I came back I realised it was not too good. It was a big blow. Especially when you don't think it is bad and then get told it is quite bad."
England will begin their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21, while they will also take on the United States and Wales in the group stage of the competition.
The round of 16 is due to take place at the start of December, with the quarter-finals on December 9 and December 10, while the semi-finals will be on December 13 and December 14.
The third-placed playoff is scheduled for December 17, with the final due to take place on December 18.
Matt Law
