England defender Reece James has a lingering hamstring injury and is doubtful to play in the Three Lions’ round of 16 match against Mexico on Sunday in Mexico City.
Manager Thomas Tuchel said on Saturday that James would have to get medical clearance to possibly be a substitute for the match after not training fully with the team since the injury in the scoreless draw with Ghana on June 23.
The Chelsea defender, 26, missed the 2-0 group-stage win over Panama on June 27 and the 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo last Wednesday in the round of 32. James was the only player absent from Saturday’s training session in Mexico City, according to a BBC report.
England’s Jarell Quansah, 23, played right-back against Panama before exiting with an ankle injury. The Bayer Leverkusen defender missed the last match against DR Congo but is available to play Sunday, Tuchel said.
“You saw that Jarell trained, Jarell trained fully, is fully available,” Tuchel said. “Reece can maybe make it onto the bench. He needs a last assessment from the doctors and medical opinion if this makes sense.”
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, 27, has been dealing with a hamstring issue but is expected to start for England against Mexico, per reports.
