England manager Thomas Tuchel is hopeful that Reece James will be available for the World Cup quarter-final against Norway on Saturday at 22:00 BST.
The Chelsea captain has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during England’s second group stage match against Ghana, missing three consecutive fixtures.
James has not featured in the games against Panama, DR Congo or Mexico as he continues his recovery and has yet to return to full training.
However, there is growing optimism within the England camp that the 26-year-old could return to full training this week, easing concerns at right-back.
England’s defensive situation became increasingly stretched after Jarell Quansah received a red card in Sunday’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico in Mexico City.
Quansah’s dismissal in the 54th minute means the Bayer Leverkusen defender is suspended for the quarter-final tie in Miami, deepening Tuchel’s selection headache on the right side.
The right-back crisis has forced Tuchel into a series of makeshift solutions, with Ezri Konsa dropping to right wing-back after Quansah’s red card against Mexico.
Across five matches at the tournament, James, Djed Spence, Konsa, John Stones, Quansah and midfielder Declan Rice have all been used as right-sided defenders at various stages.
England’s options were further reduced even before the tournament began, with Tino Livramento suffering a calf injury in the build-up, leaving the squad short of natural right-back cover.
Konsa and Spence remain available options for Tuchel should James fail to recover in time for the knockout tie against Norway this weekend.
The expected return of James would, however, represent a significant boost for England, with the Chelsea skipper widely regarded as Tuchel’s first-choice right-back throughout his reign.
With a World Cup semi-final place at stake in Miami on Saturday, the timely recovery of one of England’s most important attacking defenders could prove decisive in what promises to be a demanding contest.
