England will be without defenders Reece James and Jarell Quansah for Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against DR Congo after both players were ruled out through injury.
The pair did not train with the squad on Tuesday ahead of the knockout fixture in Atlanta, scheduled to kick off at 17:00 BST.
England manager, Thomas Tuchel, confirmed both defenders are close to returning but will not be available for the match.
“They are getting close,” Tuchel said. “In the nature of their injury, Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reece.
“But the race was close even to make it into the match squad this time, so we need to make sure that we have more matches.
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“That is the main focus, and then they will be available very soon.”
Defensive options
With both right-backs unavailable, Tuchel could keep Djed Spence in the starting line-up or move Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa from central defence to right-back.
Quansah suffered a twisted ankle during England’s 2-0 victory over Panama in their final group-stage match on Saturday. Spence replaced the Bayer Leverkusen defender after the injury.
Quansah had started that match after James was sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during England’s goalless draw against Ghana in their second group fixture.
Although Tuchel had initially suggested James could recover in time to face DR Congo, the Chelsea defender has now been ruled out.
Squad balance questioned
The injuries have renewed scrutiny over England’s squad selection, with questions raised about the team’s depth at right-back.
Before the tournament began, Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento withdrew from the squad with a calf injury and was replaced by Trevoh Chalobah.
Tuchel explained that Chalobah was called up primarily as a central defensive option, while Quansah and Spence were expected to provide cover at full-back.
Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was not selected for the tournament after making only one appearance under Tuchel because of injury and missing the squads announced before the World Cup.
