England World Cup latest: Reece James in race to be fit for quarter-final clash with Norway to ease right-back crisis

07.07.2026, 09:35 skysports.com

England’s medics are working hard on Reece James in the hope that he may be able to help England’s right-back crisis and play some part in the World Cup quarter-final against Norway on Saturday.

As things stand, it is touch and go whether his hamstring problem will allow him to feature at all in Miami, but with so few options on the right side of defence, James's treatment is being fast-tracked to try to get him ready.

The Chelsea full-back has not trained with his England team-mates in the US since he strained his hamstring in the second group game against Ghana a fortnight ago, but instead of leaving the squad, he decided to stay in the hope of being fit for the latter stages of the tournament.

He did take part in the warm-up in the Azteca Stadium on Sunday, raising hopes he is on the mend. And Thomas Tuchel has such significant problems at right-back, James has to be considered.

Djed Spence is still not fully fit, despite coming on late against Mexico, and Jarell Quansah is currently suspended after being sent off in the second half of that game. The FA may yet appeal against that red card, with a decision expected later today.

Ezri Konsa finished in the right-back position in a back five in Mexico City and he is a possibility to start there in a back four against Norway, with John Stones coming into the centre of defence.

In five games at this World Cup, England have used six different right backs.

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In other injury news, Jordan Henderson has been ruled out for the remainder of the World Cup.

Henderson suffered the injury after landing awkwardly as he hopped over the advertising hoardings following England's dramatic 3-2 win against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. Henderson appeared to slip and fell on his wrist.

England's players huddled around Henderson as he received treatment after the fall. He remains in hospital in Mexico and may need to undergo surgery, after a serious break to his arm.

The Brentford midfielder was later seen being carried on a stretcher and receiving oxygen, with England head coach Thomas Tuchel confirming after the game that Henderson had been taken to hospital.

Henderson stayed in Mexico City with a member of England's support staff and did not travel back with the team to their training base in Kansas City on Monday.

The 36-year-old had played just six minutes at the World Cup, featuring in the closing stages of England's 2-0 Group L victory against Panama.

But he will now play no part in the quarter-final against Norway, nor any other games if England should progress.

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