Reece James was injured in Chelsea’s win over AC Milan in the Champions League at the San Siro.
The England international is set to be out for eight weeks and will miss the WorldCup with England.
Conor Gallagher was substituted after just 15 minutes in Chelsea’s draw with Brentford on Wednesday. Potter revealed after the game that Gallagher was subbed off after he felt unwell.
On the latest on Reece James, Graham Potter said: “The first thing is he’s in a brace for four weeks to stabilize the knee, then its rehab. So that will take, as we said, around eight weeks. That’s the latest.”
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Asked if he had talked with Reece James and N’Golo Kante over missing the World Cup next month because of injuries, he added: “You have to acknowledge they are human beings and won’t be involved in that competition, absolutely.
“The reality is I’ve not got anything to say that can make it any better for them. It’s worth acknowledging that. It’s one of those things where you’ve got to focus on the things you can control. Focus on the rehab, the day-to-day, things get better, and then you can move forward.”
Providing an update on fitness of Conor Gallagher, Potter said: “We are still in the process of recovery; pretty much as we were with Brentford. Conor [Gallagher] trained today so we will how he is over the 24 hours. Apart from the long-term absences, we’re pretty much where we were.”
Potter also added that Chelsea had to change formation after Conor Gallagher was sub off.
“A little bit. That substitution means we could only have two stops so that affected us a little bit. At the same time, we probably needed some control in the game. Brentford are not easy to control and if you don’t control them, the ball is in your box quite quickly and easily. So that was the decision at the time. Obviously, Mateo [Kovacic] has qualities that he brought to the team.”
Graham Potter has hailed Chalobah’s recent performance for Chelsea in the absence of injured Wesley Fofana.
Trevoh Chalobal has started Chelsea’s last two Premier League games and there have been calls for him to be included in England’s squad for the World Cup.
“I’ve been very impressed – and from day one I have to say. He didn’t start in the first couple of games but acted perfectly. He trained really well and was very professional and determined. He is an impressive character and very focused on his football. He wants to play, wants to help the team, wants Chelsea to win,” Graham Potter said on Trevoh Chalobah.
“So he is great in that regard and is a bit of a soldier. He has played in all the games because we’ve been having some problems in terms of availability for players, but he has stood in for us and is performing at a really good level. I’m not surprised he is getting that [England] link but thankfully that isn’t my decision, that is somebody else’s.
“Well, he is playing every week for us and that is a decision for Gareth [Southgate] to make and not me.”
