James faces 'tight race' to be fit for World Cup last-32 tie
- Published
Thomas Tuchel says he is worried about England's right-back crisis before their World Cup last-32 tie after Jarell Quansah became the latest in the position to suffer injury.
Quansah started in place of the injured Reece James in the 2-0 win over Panama in New Jersey, that clinched top spot in Group L, but limped off in the second half and went straight down the tunnel for treatment.
The injury leaves Tuchel facing a major dilemma heading into their first knockout game in Atlanta on Wednesday (17:00 BST).
James is a major doubt for the game with a hamstring injury and, with Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento being forced to leave the squad with a calf issue, Tuchel's only options at right-back appear to be Djed Spence of Tottenham and Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa, who has started all three of England's games at centre-back.
When Livramento pulled out of the World Cup squad, Tuchel opted to call up Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah rather than including a replacement right-back, such as Real Madrid's former Liverpool man Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Tuchel said it was too early to assess the severity of Quansah's injury immediately after the game but, given the last-32 match is just four days away, the Bayer Leverkusen defender's availability is uncertain.
"A classic ankle twist and he is in pain," Tuchel said of Quansah's injury. "He said he had it before and it is a matter of days. He has his leg up high and in ice.
"Naturally, of course [I am worried about the right-back situation] - we have another injury in the position.
"It will be a tight race for Reece James and a tight race for Jarell Quansah, but it is our job to find solutions and we will do."