England

England midfielder Eberechi Eze on how Declan Rice is after injury niggles: "I would say it's Dec innit.

"He plays football, he wants to play football and wants to play every game. He will do whatever he can to help the team.

"When you watch him play, you don't see him playing as if he's carrying something, you see him enjoying himself and having fun so I'm sure he's okay."

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On where he musters the strength to go again after a long domestic season, Eze said: "For me personally I don't need much more motivation than the competition that we're in. I love playing football, I enjoy playing football.

"Of course, you need the time to rest and have a break and I'm sure that will come after this.

"But for me I'm positive, I'm motivated and I enjoy playing football, ultimately, so I'm not too pressed."

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On whether he has had a physiological boost after winning the Premier League title with Arsenal before travelling for the World Cup: "For sure. I think having players in the team who have won things and achieved things definitely gives you a different type of confidence, belief, trust in what you're capable of.

"I'm sure it's helping me, it's helping the other players in the team.

"You can see the confidence that we have at the moment."

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In response to whether former England and Arsenal forward Ian Wright has given him any advice, Eze said: "I actually haven't seen him since we've been out here, or spoken to him too much.

"But before we came there's so much love and support that he has for us as a team, me as a player as well.

"I'm grateful to him. He's a special guy for sure."

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On what it's like to play with Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka, Eze said: "It's true, he's an incredibly talented player. His level of understanding of the game is insane.

"He's a player who makes the right decision a lot of the time, and he's so effective, so efficient.

"I enjoy playing with him a lot because you know what you're going to get from him, you can always link up with him. He's a fun player to play with, for sure."

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On biding his time for an Arsenal spot and how that has prepared him for this tournament, Eze said: "It definitely does help. That's the type of position I've been put in.

"It's the mentality that I've grown up having, as well - staying ready, staying resilient, trusting that the time will come. Whenever you're called upon, being ready to express yourself and give what you've got.

"If that's the case in this tournament I'm sure I'll be ready for that."

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England midfielder Eberechi Eze on whether the Ghanaian witch doctor, who reportedly put a hex on Harry Kane to stop him scoring, has been talked about in camp:

"Do you believe in that? No I'm not too interested in that kind of conversation."

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More from England midfielder Eberechi Eze on what was going through his mind when he was asked to come on and make his World Cup debut against Ghana: "To go out and enjoy it, try to win the game - that's the focus.

"When you're on the pitch that's the mentality that you have, you're really focused on what you want to do.

"But of course trying to enjoy it as much as I can because it's such a special moment, something that I'm blessed to have and I don't take it for granted."

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On what England boss Thomas Tuchel has said to him in regards to his impact on this team, Eze said: "It's about understanding there's a role for me to play.

"Doing what I can whenever I get an opportunity to play. That's all that counts, so as long as I'm doing that and fully focused on that - whether that's starting or from the bench - it's your responsibility so I try to enjoy that as much as I can."

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On how he is finding his first World cup tournament, Eze said: "It's a beautiful experience.

"It's a great opportunity for all of us to play in a competition like this and have a chance of winning it as well. Having that as a goal, it's an amazing thing to be a part of.

"Whatever I am called upon to do that's the mentality I have, I'll attack it as much as I can."

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On what it was like to be brought on against Ghana and make his World Cup debut, Eberechi Eze said: "It's good. It's exactly the position you want to be in as a player. You want to come in and try to affect the game and help.

"Every game is difficult and different. You face different challenges. It was a tough game to come into. They were extremely solid and robust in how they played, which made it difficult for us at times."

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Shall we hear what Eberechi Eze had to say when he spoke to the media overnight?

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There is some positive news though about Declan Rice who left the Boston Stadium after the Ghana draw with strapping on his left calf.

The midfielder missed Thursday's training session, but sources indicate the 27-year-old fitness is not a concern.

Whether Thomas Tuchel will play Rice against Panama remains to be seen - particularly given he is at risk of suspension for the round of 32 after he was booked against Ghana.

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Reece James has sustained a number of injuries in his career and has faced a lot of questions about his ability to play regularly with limited recovery time.

He looked to have got over those problems, but picked up a hamstring injury at the end of the 2025-26 campaign which kept him out for four weeks and meant he missed England's games against Japan and Uruguay.

Speaking before Tuesday's match against Ghana, in which James suffered a hamstring issue, he told BBC Radio 5 Live: "People always talk about injuries and availability, and to me it's so boring now.

"I have one job, which is to be the best I can when I'm on the pitch. I understand the stigma at the start, but after a while it gets boring.

"I've been fit for a long time before my last injury, and I don't listen to too much noise.

"I just focus on myself and my body, trying to perform the best I can and help the team I'm playing in."

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Thomas Tuchel's original squad included two ready-made replacements for Reece James - Djed Spence and Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento.

Chelsea's James has suffered with injuries throughout his career, but Tuchel was keen to include the 26-year-old defender despite the possibility that he may not be able to play every game at this World Cup.

With Spence and Livramento in the squad, that gave the England manager plenty of cover.

But Livramento, who, like Spence, can play at both right-back and left-back, had also been plagued by injuries this season.

When the former Southampton defender had to pull out of the World Cup the day before England's opening game, that highlighted a potential source of weakness in Tuchel's squad selection.

There were cries for him to pick another specialist full-back as Livramento's replacement, with Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall at the top many fans' list, closely followed by Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold.

However, Tuchel opted instead to bring in Chelsea's 26-year-old centre-back Trevoh Chalobah.

When asked to explain this decision, the German said that Chalobah's inclusion would "free up" Jarell Quansah to deputise at full-back.

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If Reece James is not fit to play against Panama then who will England manager Thomas Tuchel turn to?

The natural replacement is Tottenham's Djed Spence, who started England's draw with Ghana at left full-back, but can play on either flank.

Other candidates could include Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah, who is normally a centre-back but does sometimes play as a full-back on either side of a four-man defence.

Tuchel could also move Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa from his centre-back position, where he has started for England in their two group games.

One final option could be to change systems to play three centre-backs and use a more attacking wide player as a wing-back.

Defenders in Tuchel's England squad: Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), John Stones (Manchester City), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Djed Spence (Tottenham)

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent at Boston Stadium

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Reece James missed training with England on Thursday which has thrown his fitness into doubt for the Three Lions' final Group L game against Panama.

The 26-year-old right-back suffered a hamstring issue in the goalless draw with Ghana on Tuesday and did not train with his team-mates in England's penultimate session before Saturday's game.