Reece James Hamstring Injury Leaves England Without Training Ahead of Panama World Cup Match

England entered their final World Cup Group L game against Panama with fitness concerns after Reece James missed England's training session on Thursday and Declan Rice was also absent from the session in Kansas City.

talkSPORT said James suffered a hamstring injury during the goalless draw to Ghana on Tuesday and that he would require assessment as England head into their next match in New Jersey.

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The BBC reported that James, the 26-year-old right-back, suffered a hamstring issue in the goalless draw with Ghana on Tuesday and did not train with his team-mates in England's penultimate session before Saturday's game (22:00 BST).

The BBC added that Rice left Boston Stadium after the Ghana draw with strapping on his left calf and was absent from Thursday's session at England's training base in Kansas City, while sources indicated his fitness was less of a concern.

Thomas Tuchel was described as unlikely to take risks with James given his injury record, while England also monitored Rice’s fitness ahead of Panama on Saturday.

The Guardian said Tuchel is hoping Rice’s club-mate Bukayo Saka could start against Panama but warned the Arsenal forward cannot solve England’s problems in attack on his own, after England managed only four shots on target against Ghana.

BBC

Tuchel told reporters, “Two sessions to be ready for Panama,” as he discussed Saka’s return from an Achilles problem and the need for more training sessions before the match.

Tuchel also stressed continuity and rotation limits, saying, “I am not shy to do some rotation now,” while adding that it would be “more moderate” rather than wholesale changes against Panama.

England go into the Panama game top of Group L on goal difference from Ghana and with a goals-scored advantage after their 4-2 win over Croatia, with Tuchel framing the match as part of a longer tournament run.

“Reece James missed training with England on Thursday which has thrown his fitness into doubt for the Three Lions' final Group L game against Panama”

BBC

The BBC said it remains to be seen if Tuchel is willing to start Rice, particularly given he is at risk of suspension for the round of 32 after he was booked against Ghana.

talkSPORT said England now head to New York to face Panama in their final Group L game needing a win to guarantee top spot, and it described the match as Saturday’s showdown.

With James’s hamstring in doubt and Rice’s involvement still being assessed, the BBC reported that it remains to be seen if James is fit enough to start or be an option from the bench in the final group game at New York New Jersey Stadium.