Tuchel forced into emergency right-back reshuffle as James and Quansah ruled out against DR Congo

Thomas Tuchel must find a makeshift right-back solution for England’s World Cup knockout tie against DR Congo after both Reece James and Jarell Quansah were ruled out following the squad’s final training session in Kansas City.

James had already been expected to miss the match with a hamstring problem, but Tuchel had held out hope that Quansah would recover in time. That optimism evaporated within the last 24 hours after the Liverpool defender failed to shake off an ankle injury sustained in England’s group-stage win over Panama. The FA confirmed both players will follow individual rehabilitation programmes, though the pair hope to be fit for a potential last-16 fixture should England progress.

“A classic ankle twist and he is in pain,” Tuchel said of Quansah. “He said he had it before and it is a matter of days. He has his leg up high and in ice. Naturally of course I am worried about the right-back situation — we have another injury in the position. It will be a tight race for Reece James and a tight race for Jarell Quansah, but it is our job to find solutions and we will do.”

Djed Spence is the most likely starter at right-back, though Tuchel is also weighing whether to shift Ezri Konsa into that role and restore John Stones alongside Marc Guehi in central defence. Stones, however, has not started since the opening group game against Croatia — a performance in which he looked short of match sharpness after a season largely disrupted by injury at Manchester City.

Elsewhere in the side, Declan Rice is set to return to midfield and Bukayo Saka is pushing to start, while Tuchel faces a decision between Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford on the left wing.

England arrive at the knockout stage having topped their group with seven points from nine, but their performances have drawn scrutiny. An inspired second-half display against Croatia gave way to unconvincing outings against lesser opposition, and DR Congo’s deep defensive block is expected to pose a familiar challenge. How Tuchel configures his attacking options may prove decisive.