England's Reece James not giving up on World Cup as he continues rehabilitation in Dubai

Injured Chelsea defender remains hopeful of making squad for finals in Qatar

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  England right back Reece James still has hopes of playing in the Fifa World Cup 2022 in Qatar next month despite being in the early stages of his recovery from a knee injury. EPA

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  Manchester United's French defender Raphael Varane won’t play for his club before the Fifa World Cup 2022 after sustaining a hamstring injury but still has hopes of playing in Qatar. AFP

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  N'Golo Kante, centre, of France suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury. He will be sidelined for four months after undergoing surgery. EPA

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  Brazil and Spurs striker Richarlison suffered a calf injury earlier this month. He spoke of his “dream” of representing his country at the World Cup potentially being over. But he is more hopeful now, with the injury not as serious as thought. AP

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  Portugal's forward Diogo Jota will miss the World Cup due to a calf injury sustained in Liverpool's win over Manchester City. AFP

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  Sweden striker Alexander Isak striker has suffered a setback while recovering from a thigh injury. EPA

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  Sevilla winger Jesus Corona will not recover from his ankle injury in time to play for Mexico at the World Cup, the club's coach Jorge Sampaoli has said. AFP

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  Portugal's Pedro Neto will undergo surgery on an ankle injury sustained while playing for Wolves against West Ham United. PA

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  Roma coach Jose Mourinho said Argentina forward Paulo Dybala had suffered a "very bad' injury when he tweaked a thigh muscle while converting a penalty against Lecce. PA

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  France's midfielder Boubacar Kamara suffered a knee ligament injury in September that will keep him out until after the World Cup. AFP

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  Kyle Walker of England had successful groin surgery in early October. The 32-year-old said he is confident of fully recovering in time to make the trip to Qatar. Getty

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  Brazil's Arthur Melo picked up a muscle injury in the build-up to Liverpool's Champions League clash with Rangers in October. AFP

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  Uruguay's Ronald Araujo went for thigh surgery in late September, saying he made the choice to go under the knife to return fully fit "as soon as possible". AFP

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  England and Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has been sidelined due to a shoulder problem but could return before the Qatar World Cup. PA

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  France's midfielder Paul Pogba underwent surgery after he damaged his meniscus in training following his transfer back to Juventus. However, he has returned to training. AFP

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  Argentina's Juventus winger Angel Di Maria is out until early November due to a hamstring injury which the club says will need around three weeks to heal. AP

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  Romelu Lukaku has sustained another hamstring injury in a major concern for Belgium. Getty

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  Germany forward Timo Werner will miss the World Cup because of a torn ankle ligament. EPA

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  England and Chelsea player Ben Chilwell suffered a hamstring injury during the Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb at Stamford Bridge on November 2, 2022. Getty

England and Chelsea star Reece James will be in Dubai this week as he continues his rehabilitation from injury ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

James insists he still has time to recover from the knee problem threatening to keep him out of the finals that begin on November 20.

The 22-year-old right-back hurt his knee in Chelsea's 2-0 Champions League win over AC Milan on October 11 – an injury Graham Potter suggested would sideline him for eight weeks, ruling him out of the tournament.

But with less than two weeks until Gareth Southgate names his 26-man squad on November 10, James believes he still has a chance of playing in the Middle East.

“I need to keep working hard over the next few weeks and see where I am on call-up day,” he told The Sun. “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. 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.”

On Monday, Chelsea announced that James will continue his recovery, under the supervision of their medical staff, in Dubai.

“Reece James and Wesley Fofana will continue their rehabilitation programmes this week in Dubai. A member of the Chelsea medical department will accompany them,” the club said in a statement.

Defender Fofana has been out of action for several weeks due to strained knee ligaments sustained during the Champions League win over AC Milan at Stamford Bridge.