James expected to return for Norway quarter-final

England manager Thomas Tuchel expects Reece James to be available for the World Cup quarter-final against Norway on Saturday (22:00 BST), providing a timely boost to a depleted right-back position.

Tuchel's right-back crisis intensified after Jarell Quansah received a red card in Sunday's 3-2 win over Mexico. The Bayer Leverkusen defender is now suspended for England's next knockout tie in Miami, leaving the team short of options.

James injury timeline

James has yet to return to full training after suffering a hamstring injury in the second group match against Ghana. He has missed subsequent games against Panama, DR Congo and Mexico. However, there is emerging hope that the 26-year-old can ease England's problems at right-back by returning to full training this week.

Right-back rotation

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

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