Reece James will miss England’s next two World Cup matches at least as he fights to recover from a hamstring injury. The right-back, who has a history of hamstring problems, reported tightness after the team’s 0-0 draw against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday.
The Chelsea captain did not train with the squad in Kansas City on Friday before their flight to New York, where they will play Panama in their final group phase game on Saturday. He will sit that one out and also the last-32 tie which could follow.
James hurt his hamstring playing for Chelsea against Newcastle on 14 March and was out for nearly two months. Thomas Tuchel considers him as his first-choice right-back and he was always going to rely on him at the World Cup. He used him for 90 minutes against Croatia and Ghana.
Yet there was always an element of risk about the situation given how James has to have his minutes managed and the congested nature of the World Cup. England hope to play eight matches in 33 days during their stay in North America.
Tuchel had selected Tino Livramento as his backup right-back only to lose the Newcastle player on the eve of the tournament to a calf injury in training. The manager responded by calling up the Chelsea centre-half Trevoh Chalobah and saying that Jarell Quansah – a central defender by trade – could cover at right-back. Tuchel’s other options at right-back are Ezri Konsa – also a centre-half – and Djed Spence.
Panama’s preparations for their World Cup clash with England on Saturday were marred by a training-camp row between two players – although their coach insisted it was 'a good sign' that his side are 'alive' for the game.
Cecilio Waterman and José Luis Rodríguez appeared to clash during a pre-match training session. Waterman was filmed pushing fellow forward Rodríguez in the chest, and was then held back by teammates as he looked to continue the argument. Things quickly calmed down as the open training session resumed.
'This is a normal situation,' the Panama coach, Thomas Christiansen, said later.
'I would have liked to see these situations more often in training,' he added. 'That means the team is alive, they are willing to make an effort to be in the squad or first XI for the game. So, again, if this happens another time, it’s a good sign.'
Panama are already out of knockout contention after losing their first two Group L games, and close their campaign against Thomas Tuchel’s side in New Jersey. 'It’s a shame, as before this fixture we are already out,' said Christiansen, who criticised the use of head-to-head tie-breakers at this tournament. PA Media/AP
He opted against calling up the Real Madrid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, a player that he does not appear to trust. Tuchel has only selected Alexander-Arnold for one camp – in June of last year.
