Reece James is facing an uncertain future for England’s World Cup quarter-final clash with Norway in Miami this Saturday, as he missed another training session with the team on Wednesday.
The right-back has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury during England’s second group match, which ended in a scoreless draw against Ghana in Boston. Thomas Tuchel, aware of the severity, had anticipated that James would miss at least two matches, including the last 16 tie, which unfortunately proved accurate.
James did not feature in England’s dramatic victory over Mexico at Estadio Azteca on Monday. Although he has been aiming for a return in the quarter-finals, his individual training away from the main squad in Kansas City raises concerns about his readiness.
Concerns at Right-Back Position
Tuchel now faces a significant dilemma at right-back. Jarell Quansah, who started in the role against Mexico, received a red card and will be suspended for the match against Norway. The Football Association is reportedly considering an appeal regarding this decision.
Both Declan Rice and Marc Guéhi trained separately on Wednesday, but their situations appear less critical. Rice has been managing nerve pain in his hamstring since Christmas, which kept him out of the third group match against Panama, a game that England won 2-0. He has insisted that he can continue playing despite the discomfort. Guéhi’s absence from team training stemmed from muscle fatigue.
Jordan Henderson’s Continued Support
Jordan Henderson has rejoined the England squad instead of returning home following his tournament-ending arm fracture. The Brentford midfielder suffered the injury in an unfortunate fall after the Mexico match and has remained in Mexico City for surgery. He is keen to offer his leadership and experience to the team.
England enters the quarter-final as the strong favorites, buoyed by their recent performance at the Azteca, but Norway, led by Martin Ødegaard, will present a formidable challenge. Historically, the notion of Norway defeating Brazil would have seemed far-fetched, yet they accomplished it with flair, and Ødegaard, addressing media before training at Inter Miami’s facility, is intent on replicating that success.
“It’s going to be a big test for us but I think Brazil was the same,” he stated. “We were the underdogs but, as you saw, anything can happen in football. We’re going to give it a good try, see what we can do and we are looking forward to it.
“We were the underdogs but, as you saw, anything can happen in football. We’re going to give it a good try, see what we can do and we are looking forward to it. “[England have] unbelievable players, it’s a massive test. We’re looking forward to it and hopefully we can make even more history.”
No Health Concerns in Norway Camp
Amidst rumors of illness affecting the Norwegian squad, Ødegaard and head coach Ståle Solbakken have downplayed the situation. The minor throat discomfort, likely caused by exposure to air conditioning, does not pose a threat to their performance on Saturday.
After the emotional encounter against Mexico, Tuchel and his players enjoyed a brief respite. They engaged in a warm-down session in Kansas City on Monday followed by a full day off on Tuesday, allowing them to reconnect with their families.
