Reece James does not train as England assesses tight hamstring issue

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Reece James will miss England’s final group match and faces a race against time to be fit for their first World Cup knockout match. The 26-year-old played the entirety of the 4-2 win against Croatia last week and Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Ghana, but is dealing with a hamstring issue ahead of the Group L finale against already eliminated Panama.

Right back Reece James will miss England's final World Cup group match against Panama on Saturday because of a hamstring injury, midfielders Declan Rice and Elliott Anderson may play and winger Bukayo Saka could make his first start of the tournament. James was hurt during Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Ghana, and coach Thomas Tuchel described the injury as minor.

Tuchel now left with limited regular full-back options Chelsea defender sustained hamstring setback in March Reece James will miss England’s next two World Cup matches at least as he fights to recover from a hamstring injury. The right-back, who has a history of hamstring problems, reported tightness after the team’s 0-0 draw against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday. The Chelsea captain did not train with the squad in Kansas City on Friday before their flight to New York, where they will play Panama in their final group phase game on Saturday. He will sit that one out and also the last-32 tie which could follow. Continue reading...

England face a nervous wait on Reece James’ fitness after the right-back missed training on Thursday.Thomas Tuchel’s side take on Panama in their final fixture of Group L, needing to win, while av...

Declan Rice’s fitness monitored before Panama game Tuchel hopes Saka could start final group match England are sweating on the fitness of Reece James before facing Panama on Saturday after the right-back complained of a tight hamstring. James is being assessed after Tuesday’s draw with Ghana and Thomas Tuchel is unlikely to take risks with the defender given his injury record. The Chelsea captain has completed England’s first two games at the World Cup but has struggled with injuries and recently returned from a layoff with a hamstring problem. Continue reading...