Tuchel updates on England’s injury problems in defence | OneFootball

Thomas Tuchel has updated on the injuries suffered by Reece James and Jarrel Quansah, as England near their first World Cup knockout tie.

The Three Lions will take on DR Congo in Atlanta in the Round of 32, but will find themselves short-staffed at right-back.

James, who started the first two matches in the position, has been struggling with a hamstring issue. Meanwhile Quansah, who replaced him in the last match, suffered an ankle injury. This all comes after Tino Livramento, another option at right-back, was forced to withdrew from the squad due to a calf problem.

It leaves Tuchel with a dilemma as England enter the knockout stages of the World Cup. Nevertheless, the manager remains hopeful that James and Quansah will both be back fit soon.

“They are getting closer and closer,” the German coach insisted. “I saw both of them on the pitch. Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reece in the nature of the injury.

“But the race was close even to make it into the squad this time. So we need to make sure we have more matches and then they will be available very soon.”

It is expected that either Ezri Konsa or Djed Spence will be asked to fill in at right-back against DR Congo. Although neither would consider it their favoured position, both do have experience playing there in the past.

The England boss continued: “You find solutions. It is a team sport. We would love to have Reece and Jarell with us, but they are injured at the moment.

“Other players will step up and we will push this over the line.”