Chelsea captain Reece James has suffered another injury setback and could spend more time on the sidelines.
The 24-year-old right-back only returned to action in October after missing the start of the season.
But boss Enzo Maresca revealed James will miss Saturday’s trip to Leicester after feeling something in his hamstring.
Maresca hopes the problem is not serious, but given the player’s injuries the club will not take any chances.
“Reece, unfortunately, felt something small and we don’t want to take any risks this weekend,” he said.
“I hope it’s not something longer.” He felt something, he has to go out and then we’ll see. It’s his hamstring, a muscular problem.
James has struggled throughout his career to string together a consistent number of matches, but Maresca hopes that will eventually change.
“Of course,” he added. “But right now, that’s not happening.”
Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill were two of nine players who withdrew from England during the international break due to fitness concerns, much to the frustration of captain Harry Kane.
Maresca also has doubts over Romeo Lavia, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana and Jadon Sancho.
He added: “Some of them are better, others we are going to test today. »
Asked if he had any contact with the England camp over the withdrawals of Palmer and Colwill, Maresca added: “To be honest, we played against Arsenal and then I went away for a week.”
Maresca will make his first trip back to Leicester since guiding the Foxes to promotion last season, before leaving to take up the job at Chelsea in the summer.
“First of all (I’m) excited and also grateful,” he said. “It was a fantastic season because I met some good people and in terms of players it was fantastic.
“We had a fantastic connection between the players and the staff, it’s something you have to create when you want to do something important.
“I will be grateful to them all my life, we have a special bond.”