James was forced off after 53 minutes (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea face a nervous wait to learn the extent of Reece James’ latest injury after the full-back was forced off injured against Bournemouth.

James suffered a knee injury in October that dashed his hopes of playing for England at the World Cup in Qatar but was back in the Blues starting XI for the visit of the Cherries on Tuesday evening.

His return to action was cut short however with the 23-year-old forced off after 53 minutes. James appeared in discomfort, falling to the pitch with his head in his hands and quickly signalling to the bench that he was unable to continue.

The Chelsea star received treatment from the club’s medical staff but was able to walk of the pitch, heading straight down the tunnel at Stamford Bridge.

Asked for an update after the 2-0 win, Graham Potter explained the club must wait to learn the full extent of the injury.

However, the Chelsea boss did reveal the area affected is the same one that sidelined him for eight weeks.

‘Not too much [we know at this stage],’ Potter told Amazon Prime. ‘We are going to see in the next 24, 48 hours but it was disappointing to lose him as quickly as we did.’

Chelsea are awaiting the results of a scan (Picture: Getty)

Potter added in his post-match press conference: ‘It’s the same area so we’re concerned. We’ll have to see in the next 24/48 hours. It is a bit too soon but it was in that action, a chop, and he felt something. We have to keep our fingers crossed at the moment.

‘He is disappointed, of course. At the moment, we’re just hoping it isn’t as bad and we’ll keep our fingers crossed.’

Chelsea returned to Premier League action with an impressive 2-0 win on Tuesday night, having failed to score in three consecutive matches prior to the World Cup break.

It took them just 16 minutes to break the deadlock, with Kai Havertz sliding in to convert a cross from Raheem Sterling.

The Germany international provided the assist for his side’s second, teeing up Mason Mount who celebrated his 150th appearance for the club with a well-taken strike from the edge of the box.

‘Credit to the players. You’re never sure how it’ll go with the break we had,’ Potter said of the win.

‘The first-half performance was good. The attitude was fantastic. The players tried their best.

‘It was a deserved win. We had to hold on. Bournemouth made it competitive.’

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James was starting his first game since October.