CHERRIES’ upcoming opponents Chelsea will be without captain Reece James after the defender saw red for kicking out during his side’s victory over Brighton.

James was only introduced late on at the Amex, quickly earning his marching orders for kicking Brighton forward Joao Pedro off the ball.

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It means the right back will miss Chelsea’s next four Premier League games, with the dismissal his second of the league season.

Cherries travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday (4pm) for their final clash of the 2023/24 campaign.

Asked about the red card, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino replied: “No I didn’t see.

“It’s difficult to give my opinion because I didn’t have time to see the action.

“But it’s painful because it’s a fantastic night of football and he’s a really important player.

“Now he is going to miss the next game and a few games next season.”

Chelsea will also be without Mykhailo Mudryk, who was substituted off under the concussion protocols.

Asked if the Ukrainian was okay, Pochettino replied: “No, he is not, we are checking.

“He was a little bit dizzy but we used the concussion substitution and the rule is seven days so he is not going to be available for the next game but I hope it is nothing wrong.”