Chelsea face tense injury wait over two stars as Reece James England decision vindicated

It's likely Chelsea will breathe a sigh of relief that the decision was made for Reece James to not join up with England during the international break. The Blues captain has instead remained around Cobham training with Chelsea's remaining stars to ensure he can sustain his fitness having participated in a steady return from injury.

The Three Lions are set to play North Macedonia on Monday night at a stadium that hosts a pitch deemed 'shameful' by the hosts' own player Elif Elmas when his side drew with Italy in September. Ciro Immobile noted «it could be dangerous'». That assessment came after the Tose Proeski Arena was banned in August from hosting European matches.

The pitch has since been relaid but that has come with its own issues. Having been done just six weeks ago it appears the pitch is yet to fully knit with the suggestion that 'coarse sand and stones' remain.

Mauricio Pochettino's side have already seen a star player injured whilst competing on a substandard field. Christopher Nkunku has yet to play in a competitive match having been forced off aqainst Borussia Dortmund during pre-season. With James' return to the pitch going well the Blues will have been relieved to keep the 23-year-old closer to home.

Pochettino saidahead of the international break: «I think, never it is the decision of the player. It is about assessing, the medical staff, the sport science and coaching staff, we always take decisions. Not the players. The players cannot assess themself. They can sometimes feel something.

»He is desperate to go to the national team. I think it's good for the national team to have communication with the club, to take the best decision for the player, the national team and for Chelsea. Not the decisions of