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  "path": "/sport/football/england-reece-james-world-cup-norway",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-07T08:09:27.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "John McEnroe leaves BBC commentary position at Wimbledon 'never to return'",
    "FA considering Trump-like intervention to overturn Jarell Quansah red card",
    "Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence after Portugal World Cup exit with telling Euro 2028 admission",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nEngland are desperately trying to get Reece James fit in time for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against Norway as Thomas Tuchel battles an escalating injury crisis at right-back.\n\nThe Chelsea defender has not featured since suffering a hamstring injury during England's group-stage victory over Ghana, but the medical team are accelerating his rehabilitation in the hope he can play some role in Miami.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nJames remains a major doubt and no decision has yet been made over his availability, though there is growing optimism he could yet return before England's campaign comes to an end.\n\nRather than leaving the squad after picking up the injury, the 26-year-old chose to remain with his team-mates in the United States, targeting a comeback if England reached the latter stages of the competition.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nThere was further encouragement over the weekend when James joined the squad for the warm-up before the last-16 victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, even though he was not involved in the match itself.\n\nHis recovery has taken on even greater importance given England's shortage of recognised right-backs.\n\nDjed Spence is still managing fitness issues after making only a brief substitute appearance against Mexico, while Jarell Quansah is suspended after being shown a second-half red card.\n\nThe Football Association is expected to challenge Quansah's dismissal, with a decision on any appeal anticipated shortly.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIf Quansah's ban stands and James is unable to recover in time, Tuchel may once again be forced to reshuffle his defence.\n\nEzri Konsa finished the dramatic win over Mexico operating at right-back in a back five and is among the leading candidates to fill the role against Norway, while John Stones could return to the heart of the defence.\n\nEngland's defensive instability has been underlined by the fact they have already deployed six different players at right-back across their five matches at this World Cup.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### LATEST SPORTS NEWS:\n\n\n\n\n  * John McEnroe leaves BBC commentary position at Wimbledon 'never to return'\n  * FA considering Trump-like intervention to overturn Jarell Quansah red card\n  * Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence after Portugal World Cup exit with telling Euro 2028 admission\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTuchel's injury concerns do not end there.\n\nJordan Henderson has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament after suffering a serious arm injury during the celebrations that followed England's thrilling 3-2 victory over Mexico.\n\nThe Brentford midfielder was hurt after attempting to jump over the advertising boards, slipping awkwardly and landing heavily on his wrist.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nEngland's players immediately rushed to Henderson as medics treated him on the pitch before he was carried away on a stretcher and given oxygen.\n\nTuchel confirmed after the match that Henderson had been taken to hospital, where he remains under medical supervision.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe 36-year-old did not travel back to England's training base in Kansas City, instead staying in Mexico City with a member of the national team's support staff.\n\nReports indicate Henderson sustained a significant break to his arm and could require surgery, ending any hope of returning later in the competition should England progress.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHis World Cup campaign lasted just six minutes, with his only appearance coming as a late substitute during England's 2-0 group-stage victory over Panama.\n\nAttention now turns to Saturday's quarter-final showdown with Norway, where England will hope James can provide a timely boost as Tuchel looks to navigate one of his biggest selection headaches of the tournament.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "England handed Reece James boost ahead of seismic World Cup showdown with Norway"
}