Reece James’ participation in England’s World Cup quarter-final match against Norway in Miami on Saturday remains in jeopardy as he was unable to train with the squad on Wednesday.
The right-back has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury during England’s second group match, which ended in a 0-0 draw against Ghana in Boston. Thomas Tuchel had anticipated James would be unavailable for at least two games, a prediction that turned out to be accurate as the team progressed to the knockout stage.
James missed the thrilling victory over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on Monday. Although he aimed for a return in the quarter-finals, his individual training session away from the main group in Kansas City raised concerns about his readiness.
Right-Back Challenges for England
Tuchel faces a significant dilemma regarding the right-back position. Jarell Quansah started in that role against Mexico but received a red card, resulting in a suspension for the upcoming match against Norway. The Football Association has indicated it may appeal this decision.
Declan Rice and Marc Guéhi also trained separately on Wednesday, but there are fewer worries about their availability. Rice has been managing nerve pain in his hamstring since Christmas and had to miss the third group match against Panama, which England won 2-0. He has expressed confidence in his ability to play through the discomfort. Guéhi’s absence was due to muscle fatigue.
Meanwhile, Jordan Henderson has opted to stay with the England squad instead of returning home following his arm fracture, which ended his tournament. The Brentford midfielder suffered the injury after a mishap post-match against Mexico and remained in Mexico City for surgery. He is eager to contribute to the team with his experience and leadership.
Norway’s Ambitions
England enters the match as strong favorites, looking to build on their momentum from the Azteca match. However, Norway, led by Martin Ødegaard, poses a significant threat. Historically, it would have seemed unlikely for Norway to defeat Brazil in a tournament setting, yet they accomplished this feat stylishly. Ødegaard, addressing the media before the squad’s training at Inter Miami’s stadium, is determined to replicate 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. “[England have] unbelievable players, it’s a massive test. We’re looking forward to it and hopefully we can make even more history.”
“[England have] unbelievable players, it’s a massive test. We’re looking forward to it and hopefully we can make even more history,” he added.
Amidst rumors of illness within the Norwegian camp, Ødegaard and head coach Ståle Solbakken have played down the concerns. The minor throat irritations attributed to prolonged exposure to air conditioning appear to be the extent of the issue, and they do not pose a threat to Saturday’s game.
Following the emotional intensity of the Mexico match, Tuchel and the players enjoyed a brief respite. They participated in a warm-down session in Kansas City on Monday and had a complete day off on Tuesday, allowing them to spend quality time with their families.
