Reece James remains injury doubt as England’s World Cup right-back woes go on

Reece James is a doubt for England’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami on Saturday after he was again unable to train with the squad on Wednesday.

The right-back has been unavailable since he injured a hamstring in England’s second group game – the 0-0 draw against Ghana in Boston. Thomas Tuchel knew at the time he would be without him for at least two games and probably for a potential last 16 tie, which is what transpired.

James played no part in the epic victory over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on Monday. He has been targeting a return in the quarter-finals but it was not a positive sign that he followed an individual programme away from the main group in Kansas City, where England are based.

Tuchel has a major issue at right-back. Jarell Quansah started in the position against Mexico but was sent off and is banned for the Norway game. The Football Association indicated it was considering an appeal against the decision.

Declan Rice and Marc Guéhi also trained individually on Wednesday but there is less concern over their involvement in the quarter-final. Rice has managed nerve pain in a hamstring since Christmas and was forced to sit out the third group match against Panama, which England won 2-0. He has maintained that he is able to play on through the discomfort. Guéhi’s absence from team training was attributed to muscle fatigue.

Jordan Henderson has returned to the England camp rather than heading home to England after his tournament-ending arm fracture. The Brentford midfielder suffered the injury in a freak fall following the Mexico game and remained in Mexico City to undergo surgery. He remains eager to help the squad with his leadership and experience.

England are hot favourites to channel their Azteca-generated momentum and sweep into the semi-finals, but Norway and Martin Ødegaard will have something to say about that. In tournaments past the idea that Norway could beat Brazil would have seemed implausible; they did it in style and Ødegaard, speaking before the squad trained at Inter Miami’s stadium in the sweltering heat of the midday sun, is eyeing a repeat performance.

“It’s going to be a big test for us but I think Brazil was the same,” he said. “We were the underdogs but, as you saw, anything can happen in football. We’re going to give it a good try, see what we can do and we are looking forward to it.

“[England have] unbelievable players, it’s a massive test. We’re looking forward to it and hopefully we can make even more history.”

Rumours had swept Norwegian media of sickness in the camp but Ødegaard and his head coach, Ståle Solbakken, played it down. The scratchy throat that can result from repeated exposure to air-conditioned rooms and venues appears to have been the sum of it and there are no concerns for Saturday’s game.

Tuchel and the players enjoyed a mini-break after the emotion of the Mexico match. There was a warm-down session in Kansas City on Monday and a complete day off on Tuesday when the players were able to spend time with their families.