World Cup 2026: England's Reece James expected to return for Norway quarter

Reece James has been capped 26 times by England

England manager Thomas Tuchel expects Reece James to be available for the World Cup quarter-final against Norway on Saturday (22:00 BST).

Tuchel's right-back crisis intensified after Jarell Quansah's red card in Sunday's 3-2 win over Mexico, meaning the Bayer Leverkusen defender is suspended for England's next knockout tie in Miami.

James is yet to return to full training having suffered a hamstring injury in the second group match against Ghana, and he has missed the games against Panama, DR Congo and Mexico.

But there is emerging hope the 26-year-old can ease England's problems at right-back by returning to full training this week.

After Quansah's red card in the 54th minute in Mexico City, Ezri Konsa - who has started all of England's games at centre-back - finished as a right wing-back.

Over five matches, James, Djed Spence, Konsa, John Stones, Quansah and midfielder Declan Rice have all appeared as right-sided defenders at various points, while, in the build-up to the tournament, Tino Livramento suffered a calf injury.

Konsa and Spence remain options for Tuchel, but the expected availability of James will come as a welcome piece of news given the Chelsea captain is recognised as England's first-choice right-back.

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