England's back four looked settled a week ago. Now, three days out from a World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami, Thomas Tuchel has a defensive headache and not much time to fix it.
Guehi races the clock on a hamstring
Marc Guehi is a serious doubt for Saturday after picking up a hamstring strain in the 3-2 win over Mexico. The defender didn't take part in the final training session in Kansas City, and was seen walking around the edge of the pitch at England's Swope Soccer base rather than joining teammates on the grass.
The problem isn't thought to be serious, but time is running out for him to prove his fitness. If he doesn't make it, Dan Burn is pushing to come in. Burn came on in the 75th minute at the Azteca and made six clearances - the most by any substitute at a World Cup since records began in 1966. That performance has clearly impressed Tuchel as he plots how to handle Norway's physical threat.
Rice and James add to the worry list
Guehi isn't the only concern. Declan Rice is being kept away from the rest of the squad after a stomach complaint following the Mexico trip, though the source is clear no other player has been affected. England's medical staff are confident Rice will feature after further fluids and medication.
Reece James is a trickier call. He's desperate to play and feels ready at right-back, but the hamstring injury that's kept him out of training for almost three weeks remains a major concern. Tuchel will take advice from his medical team on whether James can be risked - the danger being that aggravating it would end his tournament.
Quansah banned, and Haaland talks up England
On top of the fitness issues, England are without Jarell Quansah through suspension. The Bayer Leverkusen defender was sent off for a challenge on Jesus Gallardo in the last-16 win, deemed "serious foul play" under FIFA's disciplinary code. FIFA confirmed a two-match ban, ruling him out of Norway and any potential semi-final against Argentina or Switzerland.
The FA was unable to appeal the red card but is understood to have made its feelings known to FIFA, particularly around the VAR process.
Meanwhile, Norway's Erling Haaland is happy to pile the expectation onto England. The Manchester City striker, born in Leeds, has scored seven goals in five appearances on Norway's first-ever run to the last eight. Asked to rate his side's chances of winning it all, Haaland kept them "still really low" and called England "clear favourites."
"I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads," he said. He also called it a "special game," noting he plays in England, was born there, and will face familiar faces on Saturday.
What it means for the match
For anyone following the quarter-final, the defensive picture is the story to watch. England going in without Quansah, and potentially without Guehi and James too, would leave Tuchel reshuffling against a striker in the form of his life. Burn stepping in changes the shape of how England try to cope with Haaland's physicality.
Team news won't firm up until closer to kick-off given the fitness tests still pending, so expect any pre-match markets to stay fluid until the lineups drop.
Sources:
If this changes where you play, the community keeps its thread on UK casino sites up to date.
Guehi races the clock on a hamstring
Marc Guehi is a serious doubt for Saturday after picking up a hamstring strain in the 3-2 win over Mexico. The defender didn't take part in the final training session in Kansas City, and was seen walking around the edge of the pitch at England's Swope Soccer base rather than joining teammates on the grass.
The problem isn't thought to be serious, but time is running out for him to prove his fitness. If he doesn't make it, Dan Burn is pushing to come in. Burn came on in the 75th minute at the Azteca and made six clearances - the most by any substitute at a World Cup since records began in 1966. That performance has clearly impressed Tuchel as he plots how to handle Norway's physical threat.
Rice and James add to the worry list
Guehi isn't the only concern. Declan Rice is being kept away from the rest of the squad after a stomach complaint following the Mexico trip, though the source is clear no other player has been affected. England's medical staff are confident Rice will feature after further fluids and medication.
Reece James is a trickier call. He's desperate to play and feels ready at right-back, but the hamstring injury that's kept him out of training for almost three weeks remains a major concern. Tuchel will take advice from his medical team on whether James can be risked - the danger being that aggravating it would end his tournament.
Quansah banned, and Haaland talks up England
On top of the fitness issues, England are without Jarell Quansah through suspension. The Bayer Leverkusen defender was sent off for a challenge on Jesus Gallardo in the last-16 win, deemed "serious foul play" under FIFA's disciplinary code. FIFA confirmed a two-match ban, ruling him out of Norway and any potential semi-final against Argentina or Switzerland.
The FA was unable to appeal the red card but is understood to have made its feelings known to FIFA, particularly around the VAR process.
Meanwhile, Norway's Erling Haaland is happy to pile the expectation onto England. The Manchester City striker, born in Leeds, has scored seven goals in five appearances on Norway's first-ever run to the last eight. Asked to rate his side's chances of winning it all, Haaland kept them "still really low" and called England "clear favourites."
"I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads," he said. He also called it a "special game," noting he plays in England, was born there, and will face familiar faces on Saturday.
What it means for the match
For anyone following the quarter-final, the defensive picture is the story to watch. England going in without Quansah, and potentially without Guehi and James too, would leave Tuchel reshuffling against a striker in the form of his life. Burn stepping in changes the shape of how England try to cope with Haaland's physicality.
Team news won't firm up until closer to kick-off given the fitness tests still pending, so expect any pre-match markets to stay fluid until the lineups drop.
Sources:
If this changes where you play, the community keeps its thread on UK casino sites up to date.