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England's right back woes may be nearing an end, with reports indicating that manager Thomas Tuchel could have Chelsea's Reece James available for the World Cup quarterfinal showdown against Norway.
Tuchel chose not to include Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold in his 26-man squad, instead selecting Tino Livramento and Djed Spence as cover for James in that position.
James, however, has a well-documented injury history, and when Livramento's calf problem ended his tournament prematurely, the obvious move would have been to bring in a direct replacement.
Instead, Tuchel turned to fellow center back Trevoh Chalobah, addressing the right back gap by suggesting Jarell Quansah could handle either side of the defense. After James suffered a minor hamstring strain in the draw with Ghana, Quansah was handed a start on Matchday 3 against Panama, only to twist his ankle during the 2–0 win and subsequently sit out the round of 32 match against DR Congo.
Spence, Declan Rice, and Ezri Konsa have all been used in the troublesome role since, with England now gearing up for a quarterfinal against Norway following their most remarkable World Cup result in six decades in the last 16.
Reece James Expected to Return From Hamstring Injury
The right back spot has seen constant changes since James went down, and Tuchel will be hoping for some much-needed consistency as the Chelsea skipper works his way back from injury.
According to BBC Sport, the England boss anticipates James will be fit in time for Saturday's clash against Erling Haaland's Norway.
He has yet to rejoin full training but is expected to ramp up his workload ahead of the quarterfinal. England is currently taking a few days to recover following a grueling battle at altitude against co-host Mexico, a match that showcased English resilience at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
James's injury has not prevented the Three Lions from advancing in the tournament, but his absence has undeniably disrupted their rhythm, particularly in possession. The options available to Tuchel vary considerably in style, and none have been able to match James's influence in and around the attacking third.
A starting berth for James in Miami on Saturday still appears unlikely, but even a substitute appearance could prove invaluable for England.
England Weighing Up Appeal of Jarell Quansah's Suspension
Tuchel is especially eager for James to prove his fitness ahead of the quarterfinal given that he is also without the suspended Quansah.
The Bayer Leverkusen defender was dismissed in Mexico City for a reckless challenge on attacking left back Jesús Gallardo, catching the Mexican on the shin with minimal contact on the ball.
It was a clear red card, yet Tuchel was visibly angry after the game, claiming the referees at this World Cup "are just not good enough." As a result, according to The Telegraph, the FA is exploring the possibility of appealing Quansah's ban following the precedent set by the Folarin Balogun situation.
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Balogun received a controversial red card during the USMNT's victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, which should have ruled him out of the round of 16 tie with Belgium. However, FIFA stepped in following pressure from President Donald Trump, and Balogun's one-match suspension was overturned.
It ultimately made little difference, as Belgium dismantled Mauricio Pochettino's side 4–1 in Seattle.