Reece James shares a diary entry during his struggles with injury

Chelsea full-back Reece James has shared a diary entry detailing his struggles with injury.

The 23-year-old England international spent two months on the sidelines between October and December with damaged knee ligaments – a knock that stopped him featuring at last winter's World Cup.

He returned for one match at the end of December – a Premier League clash against Bournemouth – but he was brought off after the hour mark and endured another month out injured.

James, who also picked up a hamstring injury in the April defeat to Real Madrid, recently shared an insight into his spell on the sidelines.

A handwritten diary entry from May 18th at 11:44pm reads: "Injuries affect me so much. When I’m not playing, I feel like the world’s against me," James wrote. "The smallest of things will send me wild. It ain’t right or normal but it is what it is.

"I try so hard but mentally it’s tough, super tough, and draining. The outside world think this 'football life’ is the perfect life, well let me tell you it’s far from that. Many people won’t ever know what it’s like but it’s a crazy journey, full of highs and lows.

"Where do I sit in that (at the moment), currently the lowest of my lows in my career so far. It’s s**t but with hard work and patience things improve, without rain nothing grows."

James also opened up on working on his mental wellbeing. "Recently I've tried many things to take my mind off football and injuries and how the season's gone,'" the England international added.

"I started to box which I really enjoy and also tennis I thoroughly enjoy too. These are places my mind thinks of nothing else which helps me day to day. One thing i will say is with s**t times comes big lessons.

"I've learnt so much as a person. I'm grateful for what I've learnt because this will be used when I'm in a s**t moment again. Cream always rises to the TOP! I'll be back. The greatest never fold."

He ended his entry with a verse from the bible; John 13:7 –- Jesus answered and said to him, 'What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.'

Image credit: Instagram/reecejames

Many fans took to social media to support the defender.

One fan said: "Journalling is a proven way to maintain mental health and achieve goals. He should be applauded for this peak behind the curtain rather than negatively judged on his spelling/thoughts as so many have in the comments. Respect."

A second wrote: "Actually refreshing reading genuine thoughts from professional players, life ain’t easy for anyone."

A third commented: "This is why fans need to stop abusing players for getting injured. It’s frustrating but it’s far from a choice and it’s more frustrating for the players who end up stuck at home while watching their teammates train and play."

A fourth added: "I f****** love this guy. Proper chels @ReeceJames. You’ll be back better then ever."