Reece James trains alone before England face Mexico but Jarell Quansah has hope | OneFootball

Right-back selection crisis remains ahead of last-16 tie

Reece James is a doubt for England’s huge clash with Mexico but Thomas Tuchel will have Jarell Quansah able to return and solve his right-back crisis.

James trained alone rather than with his England teammates on Saturday ahead of Sunday evening’s round of 16 match against World Cup co-hosts Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

However, Quansah took part in training in a boost that may see him able to come back in and start against Mexico just as he did in England’s last group game against Panama.

A string of injuries at right-back left Tuchel having to shift left-back Djed Spence to the right in the round of 32. Spence came off towards the end as midfielder Declan Rice filled in at right-back for the final minutes of the match.

Djed Spence may be called upon to deputise at right-back after injuries to Reece James and Jarell Quansah

Newcastle right-back Tino Livramento suffered a calf injury just before the start of the tournament that led him to drop out of the squad.

James then started both of England’s first two matches but suffered a hamstring injury that has kept him out since.

Quansah came in against Panama but was forced off with an injury of his own that plunged Tuchel and England into crisis in the position and led Spence to have to deputise there against DR Congo.

But James is close to a return to training and Quansah was in training in Saturday. He could come in for Spence against the Mexicans at the Azteca as England bid to reach the quarter-finals for the third consecutive World Cup.

On Saturday evening, Tuchel said: “You saw Jarell train. He trained today and is fully available.

“Reece can maybe make it onto the bench, but we need the last assessment from the doctors and the medical opinion [as to] whether this makes sense.”

Tuchel has confirmed that Rice will start in midfield and is only seen as an option at right-back towards the end of games.