England defender Marc Guehi faces a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway in what is a major injury concern for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
The centre-back sustained a hamstring strain during England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico in the last 16 at the Azteca Stadium and will be assessed on Friday to determine his availability.
Initially it was hoped that Guehi was dealing with nothing more than muscular fatigue, but the problem has since been identified as a hamstring strain, raising serious doubts over his participation.
Guehi is described as desperate to prove his fitness and remains optimistic he can be involved in what is a crucial knockout tie for England.
However, if the Manchester City defender cannot train with the squad on Friday, there will be major doubt over his inclusion against Norway.
The injury is not viewed as serious, but with seven-goal Erling Haaland waiting in the opposition ranks, Tuchel can hardly afford to take fitness risks with his defenders.
Midfielder Declan Rice has also missed a second successive training session due to a sickness bug, compounding England’s growing injury concerns ahead of the quarter-final.
Rice had already been suffering with a neural issue affecting his hamstring and lower back, a problem that has been further exacerbated by illness, with England taking steps to prevent the bug from spreading through the squad.
There is better news on the right-back front, with Reece James returning to full training for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury during the goalless draw with Ghana, although he did not complete the entire session.
James is expected to be available to face Norway providing he feels no ill effects from Thursday’s session, which is a welcome boost to Tuchel given England’s problems at right-back due to injury and suspension throughout the tournament.
Jarell Quansah, who started at right-back against Mexico, has been handed a two-game ban following his red card in that round-of-16 tie, ruling him out of the quarter-final entirely.
Newcastle’s Tino Livramento injured his calf before the tournament began, and Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah was called up as his replacement, with the defender capable of operating at full-back as well as in central defence.
Djed Spence had been potentially the only natural right-back available before James’s return to training offered Tuchel a significant lift at a difficult moment.
Should Guehi miss out, John Stones, Dan Burn, and Chalobah are all available options at centre-back as England look to keep Haaland and Norway at bay in what promises to be a stern test.
