Thomas Tuchel is confident of coping without Reece James and Jarell Quansah after England’s main right-back options were ruled out of the World Cup knockout clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Having lost versatile full-back Tino Livramento to a calf issue ahead of their Group L opener, the team has been hit by injuries to their first-choice right-back and his back-up over the last week.
James started England’s first two group games but a hamstring issue ruled him out of Saturday’s win over Panama, when replacement Quansah limped off with a twisted ankle during the second half.
Both trained away from the group on the eve of the round of 32 fixture against DR Congo and Tuchel confirmed neither will be available for the start of their knockout campaign in Atlanta.
“They are getting close,” the England boss said. “They are getting closer and closer. I saw them on the pitch.
“In the nature of their injury, Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reecey. But the race was close even to make it into the match squad this time, so we need to make sure that we have more matches.
“That is the main focus, and then they will be available very soon.”
Djed Spence could be deployed on the right against DR Congo, while Ezri Konsa, a key member of Tuchel’s squad since he took charge, could shift over from his standard centre-back role.
England boss Tuchel said of his defensive options: “First of all, I trust my players. I’ve seen them since weeks, I picked them and that’s what football is all about. You have injuries.
“It’s not worth to be too long upset about it and focus on the problem. Find the solution, this is team sport.
“We would love to have Reece with us, we would love to have Jarell with us, but they’re injured at the moment so other players will step up and we will push this over the line tomorrow as a team no matter what happens.”
While James and Quansah had to follow individual programmes on Tuesday, there was more positive news on key midfielder Declan Rice as he joined the remaining members of the squad in training.
The Arsenal star was withdrawn as a precaution in the second half of the group opener against Croatia and later revealed he had been dealing with neural pain in his hamstring since Christmas.
Rice picked up a knock against Ghana and was an unused substitute against Panama, but the midfielder has allayed concerns over fitness ahead of the DR Congo encounter.
“I’m good, genuinely, I’m good,” he said. “I know there’s been one (concern) over my hamstring, which has been an issue, but that’s not a problem because I’m still here training, I’m playing. I’m fine.
“I got a dead calf in the last minute of the Ghana game. The guy whacked me and it literally blew up for like three days, so that was just unlucky. It wasn’t actually a calf problem.
“I’m managing myself really well. I feel good, fit and strong. It’s the World Cup and missing out the other day (isn’t a problem).
“We have a squad of 26 who are unbelievable and can play. Kobbie (Mainoo) can play, Jordan (Henderson) can play. Morgan (Rogers) came in and Jude (Bellingham) played as the number eight.
“If it means that sometimes I have to miss out because we have other players who can play against a certain opposition, I’m fine with that, as long as we keep going and winning matches.”
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