Chelsea and Frank Lampard have suffered a major injury blow with just under a month until the Premier League season gets underway.
Highly rated full-back Reece James has undergone surgery.
This news comes less than a week after it appeared the 19-year-old, who was impressive during a loan spell at Wigan Athletic last summer - was making very good progress from ankle ligament damage.
That injury was sustained during this summer's Toulon Tournament and was originally set to miss up to three months of action.
Despite the injury, James had returned to training, but had been doing separate work from his teammates in order to get back into peak condition as soon as possible.
A post on James' Instagram stories showed the player running for the first time since sustaining the injury.
However, the defender's latest social media post doesn't make good reading for Chelsea fans as he confirmed he required surgery after all.
"I’m thankful Surgery went well this evening," he said on Twitter. "Minor set backs for major come backs! See you all soon!
"Thanks for the support."
Once James has fully recovered, it is likely that the right-back will join up with the first team squad under new head coach Frank Lampard.
There is hope that the teenager will be able to succeed Cesar Azpilicueta as the first-choice right-back in the years to come.
But for now the focus will be on getting back to full fitness as there is no timescale for his return.
Although, he will almost certainly miss the remainder of Chelsea's pre-season schedule as well as the Premier League opener against Manchester United next month.
