BBC Sport11h agoSports1 min readUnited Kingdom

Reece James Nears Return for England's World Cup Quarter-Final

Reece James Thomas Tuchel Jarell Quansah

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England manager Thomas Tuchel is hopeful Reece James will be available for the World Cup quarter-final against Norway.
James has been recovering from a hamstring injury, and his potential return eases a right-back crisis exacerbated by Jarell Quansah's suspension.

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Why It Matters

England faces a right-back crisis heading into their World Cup quarter-final, with Jarell Quansah suspended and other options having been used. Reece James' potential return offers a solution.

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England manager Thomas Tuchel expects Reece James to be available for the World Cup quarter-final against Norway on Saturday (22:00 BST).

Tuchel's right-back crisis intensified after Jarell Quansah's red card in Sunday's 3-2 win over Mexico, meaning the Bayer Leverkusen defender is suspended for England's next knockout tie in Miami.

James is yet to return to full training having suffered a hamstring injury in the second group match against Ghana, and he has missed the games against Panama, DR Congo and Mexico.

But there is emerging hope the 26-year-old can ease England's problems at right-back by returning to full training this week.

After Quansah's red card in the 54th minute in Mexico City, Ezri Konsa - who has started all of England's games at centre-back - finished as a right wing-back.

Over five matches, James, Djed Spence, Konsa, John Stones, Quansah and midfielder Declan Rice have all appeared as right-sided defenders at various points, while, in the build-up to the tournament, Tino Livramento suffered a calf injury.

Konsa and Spence remain options for Tuchel, but the expected availability of James will come as a welcome piece of news given the Chelsea captain is recognised as England's first-choice right-back.