Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has given an explanation for Lauren James missing the pre-season clash with WSL rivals Arsenal.
Bompastor confirmed that concern over what appears to be a minor injury saw Chelsea decide not to risk James for the match in Washington D.C., which also saw the launch of a brand new third kit.
But there is optimism that the England forward will quickly be back up to speed as the WSL season nears.
Chelsea won the game 1-0 courtesy of a single goal from summer signing Sandy Baltimore early in the second half.
James had previously played the first 45 minutes as the Blues beat NJ/NY Gotham at Red Bull Arena six days earlier.
Bompastor explained: “It was more about managing her body.
“She has an injury and was feeling some pain so we took the right decision not to put her in this game.
“But she should be okay as soon as we are back to London.”
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After a successful American tour, Chelsea are heading back home and will play one further pre-season game against Feyenoord at Kingsmeadow on September 7.
That will then give Bompastor just shy of two weeks to finalise preparations ahead of her first WSL game in charge with the visit of Aston Villa.
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