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James out vs Panama
England will be without Reece James for Saturday’s World Cup group-stage clash with Panama after the Chelsea defender suffered a hamstring injury, with Thomas Tuchel saying James had a “minor hamstring injury” and was “not able to train the last two days.”
Tuchel told reporters on Friday that James was in an “accelerated rehabilitation programme,” and England’s right-back absence leaves him short on options as the squad prepares to travel to New York for the Panama match.
The BBC reported that James would sit out Saturday’s final group game with Panama (22:00 BST) and that there were also fears he could miss the Three Lions’ last-32 match if England progress.
talkSPORT said James missed England’s training session on Thursday ahead of the Panama clash after suffering a hamstring injury during the goalless draw to Ghana on Tuesday, and it noted he completed the full game against Ghana but would be checked by medics over the next 24 hours.
England’s situation is complicated by the World Cup schedule and squad selection, with the BBC adding that Tuchel’s decision to select just three recognised full-backs is now under scrutiny as James recovers.
Tuchel’s squad reshuffle
Tuchel said he would “find solutions” after James was ruled out, and he explained that he called up Trevoh Chalobah to “free up Jarell Quansah in the right-back position” for England.
Goal reported that Tuchel described James’s injury as a “minor hamstring injury” and said the right-back was on an “accelerated recovery programme,” while also stating “we strongly believe that he will be able to play for us again in the tournament.”
The Guardian said James did not train in Kansas City on Friday and did not travel with the rest of the squad to New York, where England will play Panama in their final group phase game on Saturday.
BBC Sport added that Spence and central defenders Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa are Tuchel’s alternative options at right-back, after James missed Friday’s group training before the squad’s departure to New York.
talkSPORT also framed the fitness picture around England’s earlier draw with Ghana, noting Rice was spotted limping out of the ground in Boston with heavy strapping around his calf and that his knock was not thought to be a major concern, though it still required assessment and rest.
Knockout pressure and timing
With first place in Group L on the line, England can secure top spot by facing Panama in New Jersey, and the BBC said the match is the route to “secure top spot in Group L and then plot their route through the knockout stages with a win over Panama.”
BBC also reported that Rice returned to training after leaving Boston with strapping on his left calf, but it noted Rice is at risk of suspension for the last-32 match after he was booked against Ghana.
In parallel, BBC described a Panama training incident in which Cecilio Waterman and Jose Luis Rodriguez were forced apart after a physical altercation, with Panama coach Thomas Christiansen saying, “What happened today in training, this is a normal situation.”
The Guardian said James would also miss the last-32 tie which could follow, and it quoted Tuchel saying “We have hopes for the next match. It can be a tight one.”
As England weigh their options, the BBC said James missed both training sessions since the match against Ghana and was following an individual programme inside at Kansas City, while England’s staff decide whether to manage the risk of playing through the hamstring concerns.
