Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Reece James will miss Chelsea’s trip to Brentford after a late fitness test on the morning of the match showed he had not fully recovered from a minor hamstring injury.

“He had a little injury in his hamstring. He tried, and we waited until this morning, but he couldn’t make it,” Alonso said. “Now we have enough time to prepare for the next one. He was just short of recovering.” The Chelsea captain had been monitored closely after picking up the problem in the 2-2 draw with Hull City, but the club opted for caution rather than risk aggravating the issue.

James’s absence is significant given his role under Alonso this season. The manager has often deployed him in midfield as well as at right-back, using his ball-carrying and passing to help Chelsea control games. His leadership and experience are also missed in a side that has been searching for greater consistency in both defence and transition.

In James’s place, Jordan Henderson is set to make his first start for Chelsea since joining in the summer. Alonso indicated before the match that he would decide on Henderson, Moisés Caicedo, Marco Palestra and others after the final training session, but team news confirmed Henderson in the starting lineup alongside Danny Welbeck, who comes in for the injured João Pedro.

João Pedro has withdrawn from Brazil duty with a knee problem and is understood to be facing several weeks out. Reports have suggested a bone oedema and sprained ACL, with an initial estimate of around three and a half weeks, which would rule him out against Brentford and put his availability for the post-international fixtures in doubt. Alonso declined to give detailed medical information but acknowledged the blow to Chelsea’s attacking options.