Chelsea boss Graham Potter defended their treatment of Reece James over his knee injury.

Criticism has arrived over the way Chelsea have managed the setback.

Potter said, "In terms of his involvement in the World Cup, I don't know. It will depend on how he recovers. He will give everything. I'm sure he will. But he is in a brace for four weeks and that slows everything down.

"The boys had a couple of days free and – especially with the International players – it's important to give them a break when you can and that's the idea. Reece felt a bit of discomfort the following day, came home, and we got it assessed as quickly as we could.

"Nothing has got worse because of how we acted in those times. Now we have to support him and get him strong.

"He's naturally disappointed. Naturally upset because he's injured for us. He misses games for us when he was in a fantastic moment. His performance at Milan was incredible in both games so he's got himself into a real good moment of form and as you can imagine he's really disappointed to be injured but he'll give everything. He'll fight. Try his best to get back as quickly as he can and when he is he will be a top, top player."