Lauren James is closing in on her Chelsea return as she has made the travelling squad for their Champions League clash with St. Polten on Tuesday.
Lauren James closing in on Chelsea return
England international Lauren James has not made an appearance for Chelsea so far this campaign.
James last played for Chelsea in a 2-2 draw with West Ham on March 30th, after suffering a hamstring injury while away with England just days later.
The 24-year-old made the Euro 2025 squad despite her fitness issues, and scored a brace for Sarina Wiegman’s side in their 4-0 group stage win over the Netherlands.
However, she struggled during the final two rounds of the competition. She was replaced at half-time in their semi-final win over Italy, before lasting just 40 minutes against Spain in the final.
James later admitted she was in a “ridiculous amount of pain” at the Euros, after she was ruled out for the start of the 2025-26 season.
The Chelsea star, though, finally appears to be closing in on a return for the Blues, after she was pictured with the travelling squad for their clash with St. Polten on Tuesday.
Seeing how Bompastor has eased Sam Kerr back into the Chelsea team after her return from injury, it is likely she will take the same approach with James.
🚨 Lauren James is among the travelling squad to Austria #UWCL pic.twitter.com/68EDOG8OFu
— Chelsea Women (@CFC__Women) November 10, 2025
What has Sonia Bompastor said about Lauren James?
Bompastor last week hinted that James was closing in on a return to action for Chelsea.
James returned to group training last week but was not ready to play in their draw against Arsenal.
Bompastor said: “LJ is really close to coming to the squad, probably for the next game. But not for this weekend.’
James’ return comes at a good time after Chelsea surrendered their lead in the WSL to Manchester City.
It appears unlikely James will see much game time this week; however, she could be back in the mix to make the starting XI after the November international break.
Chelsea will also be hoping for a positive update regarding Aggie Beever-Jones ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
Beever-Jones did not feature for Chelsea in their WSL clash with Arsenal.
What’s next for Chelsea?
Chelsea face St. Polten on Tuesday in the League Phase of the Women’s Champions League.
The Blues currently sit sixth and will be hoping to jump into the top four at the halfway point of the League Phase.
Chelsea then face Liverpool this weekend, before hosting Barcelona at Stamford Bridge next week in the Champions League.
