England injury news vs Norway as Thomal Tuchel handed huge concerns | Football | Sport
Issues are beginning to stack up for Thomas Tuchel (Image: Getty)
All you need to know from the England camp ahead of Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final vs Norway
- England are gearing up for a pivotal World Cup quarter-final clash against Norway this Saturday in Miami. Thomas Tuchel and his squad are still dealing with the aftermath and physical demands of their dramatic last-16 triumph over Mexico.
- Midfielder Declan Rice sat out sessions on Wednesday and Thursday as he battles a sickness bug. Rice had already been managing a neural issue affecting his hamstring and lower back.
- Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has insisted he is fully fit and available for selection despite nursing a persistent Achilles problem. His time on the pitch has been meticulously monitored by the coaching team throughout the tournament to aid his rehabilitation.
- Saka has adjusted his approach towards delivering a meaningful contribution, irrespective of his playing time. He stressed that his main objective is assisting the team to victory, whether through goals or defensive work.
- The winger has urged composure following the elation of overcoming Mexico in the preceding round. He pointed out that the squad must leave that emotional rollercoaster behind them to concentrate fully on the distinct test presented by Norway.
- Chelsea defender Reece James is also hoping to be included in the squad after accelerating his comeback from a hamstring injury. He has been absent for the last three matches but is targeting at least some involvement in Saturday’s encounter.
- Selecting James in the starting XI would constitute a considerable gamble for manager Tuchel given his recent absence from competitive action. That said, his possible return offers a welcome lift to a squad presently contending with multiple defensive concerns.
- England have already been confirmed without defender Jarell Quansah for their forthcoming fixture. The Bayer Leverkusen man is serving a two-match FIFA ban after receiving a red card during the Mexico clash.
- With Quansah sidelined, Thomas Tuchel is anticipated to hand Djed Spence a start at right-back for the quarter-final, a move that enables the manager to preserve his favoured central defensive pairing.
- Doubts persist over centre-back Marc Guehi, who has been absent from training this week after sustaining a minor hamstring injury during the victory against Mexico. BBC Sport reports he is uncertain to feature against Norway should he fail to return to training on Friday.
