Chelsea captain Reece James has undergone surgery on a knee injury.

The club announced on Friday that James, who has regularly dealt with injury issues in his career, had a successful “minor” procedure.

England defender James suffered the injury in training and was forced to miss Chelsea’s 5-1 win over Bournemouth last Saturday, with surgery deemed the best course of action.

Chelsea’s statement read in part: “Reece has already begun his road to recovery and will be supported by the club’s medical department at Cobham during this rehabilitation phase.”

The club did not give a timeframe for the versatile right-back’s return.

His absence further limits Chelsea’s options in midfield, where James has played regularly in recent times.

While Chelsea have Marco Palestra and Malo Gusto to fill the void at right-back, James’ injury leaves them with only four senior options in central midfield in the form of Moises Caicedo, Jordan Henderson, Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco.

Xabi Alonso’s men face Everton in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off. A win would at least temporarily move Chelsea into the top four.