Reece James return date revealed, it's earlier than previously reported

Reece James will return to full fitness for the first tie of the Champions League Round of 16 clash against Lille on February 22, The Athletic report.

In fact, the 22-year-old could even be back in contention by the time the FIFA Club World Cup begins in February.

The England international is doing rehabilitation work at the club's Cobham base and has not gone on holiday during the Premier League's winter break.

He wants to return to team training with Chelsea in two weeks' time.

The wing-back picked up a hamstring injury in the Brighton game on December 29.

Earlier in January, The Telegraph reported that James' recovery would take up to two months. Now it looks like he'll be back earlier than that.