Reece James has been sidelined ever since he picked up a hamstring injury during Chelsea's home defeat to Newcastle United last month.
The Blues' captain has missed the team's last three matches, including their second-leg Champions League Last 16 knockout defeat against PSG. The defender has been a big miss, and, up until now, there has been uncertainty over when he could return.
And it isn't just Chelsea that James is facing a race against time to be fit enough to play for. With 2026 World Cup set to kick off in just over three months, Thomas Tuchel will also be keeping a close eye on the 26-year-old.
Reece James expected to return from injury soon
When fully fit and firing, James is arguably England's best right-back, but injuries have always been his problem. Throughout his Chelsea career, he has missed well over 100 matches in all competitions through injury.
And this latest one — a familar hamstring issue — has threatened to derail his chances of going to the 2026 World Cup in America. However, according to The Guardian, Chelsea could see their captain make his return by the start of next month; a major boost for club, and country.
Although there were initial fears James, who recently signed a new contract, would be out for at least eight weeks, he has made good progress and, as a result, his timeline brought forward to the start of May.
Liam Rosenior will be counting down the days until his skipper can get back on the pitch. Despite Malo Gusto being a solid replacement, James' influence and leadership is unmatched, and with such a busy period approaching, the Chelsea head coach will need his best players available.
James could be back for Chelsea's last four Premier League games
Even though James will still miss a significant portion of Chelsea's upcoming matches, including their FA Cup semi final against Leeds United, he could return for their last four Premier League matches.
The Blues will host relegation scrappers Nottingham Forest on May 4 before travelling to Anfield to play Liverpool on May 9.
After their trip to Merseyside, Chelsea will then welcome London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on May 17 before heading north to play Sunderland in their final league game of the season on May 24.
Should the side get the better of Leeds United in the FA Cup, they would also have an FA Cup final to play at Wembley on May 16 against either Southampton or Manchester City. That would mean their game against Tottenham Hotsput would need to be rearranged.