Reece James withdraws from England squad due to 'ongoing issue'

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Reece James withdraws from England squad due to 'ongoing issue'

Reece James has left the England camp and returned to Chelsea due to an 'ongoing issue'.

The right-back was expected to start Sunday's Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley after Kyle Walker played all 90 minutes of Thursday's 2-1 win away at Italy. But James has failed to prove his fitness and will reconvene with Chelsea at their Cobham training base.

A statement from England read: "Reece James has withdrawn from the England squad and will not feature against Ukraine on Sunday.

"The full-back has returned to Chelsea for assessment on an ongoing issue.

"No replacements are planned as Gareth Southgate’s squad, including the suspended Luke Shaw, continue their preparations at Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground."

Though James' fitness record is patchy and he was suffering with a hamstring injury earlier this month, he joined up with the England squad this week having played 90 minutes in two of Chelsea's final three games before the international break and was expected to be fit and healthy.

He came on as an 85th-minute substitute on Thursday for Bukayo Saka as 10-man England sought to hold onto their lead.

James missed England's 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign after sustaining a knee injury in the autumn.

Chelsea will be hoping that James' problem isn't serious ahead of a busy month that sees them face the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid.