Reece James will play no part in England's next World Cup matche due to a hamstring injury

Reece James is fighting to prove his fitness for England’s probable last-32 knockout game at the World Cup after tweaking a hamstring.

The Chelsea defender will sit out Saturday’s final group match against Panama, where victory will confirm top spot.

Thomas Tuchel had planned to rest James in New Jersey after featuring for 90 minutes in both the win over Croatia and the goalless draw with Ghana.

The first-choice right back missed training with the team at their base in Kansas City on Friday before they flew out to the east coast.

Reece James will play no part in England's next World Cup matche due to a hamstring injury

Reece James will play no part in England’s next World Cup matche due to a hamstring injury

The first-choice England right back (right) has a long-standing issue with hamstring problems

The first-choice England right back (right) has a long-standing issue with hamstring problems

James believes the latest hamstring issue will not present a major problem for the remainder of the tournament but Tuchel will doubtless be concerned.

The 26-year-old had missed six weeks towards the end of the Premier League season with another hamstring issue and there are a lack of specialist right backs behind him in the pecking order.

Jarell Quansah and Djed Spence are among those who can deputise for James, with England having already lost Tino Livramento to a calf problem.

A win over Panama would take England to Atlanta on Wednesday, while they will play in Toronto on Thursday should either Croatia or Ghana leapfrog them.

Have you paid attention to the action so far? Try our World Cup quiz HERE 

You May Also Like

Jhon Duran completes £65m move to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr from Aston Villa as Colombian striker joins Sadio Mane and Co in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Pro League side have secured the signing of Jhon Duran from…

Top Premier League referee admits considering QUITTING and opens up on impact of his family being ambushed by a mob of angry fans at an airport after Jose Mourinho abuse

One of the Premier League’s most popular referees has revealed he considered…

Uruguayan footballer left with blood POURING down his face after being hit by a ROCK thrown from the stands in Copa Libertadores fixture… and is sent to hospital for stitches

A rock thrown by Rosario fans struck  Penarol defender Maximiliano Olivera  Olivera was…

Liverpool prepared to smash transfer record AGAIN to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle with Reds willing to take summer spending spree to over £300MILLION

Liverpool are prepared to smash their transfer record for the second time as…