England manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed a major injury boost ahead of the World Cup quarter-final against Norway, with Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Reece James all returning to training. The trio were back with their teammates as England trained in Miami on Friday, providing a significant lift ahead of the crucial showdown.
Rice overcomes hamstring and illness
Rice has been managing a neural hamstring issue since the start of the year. After the win over DR Congo, Tuchel revealed the Arsenal midfielder had asked to come off due to 'terrible pain.' Despite this, Rice started and played in the victory against Mexico at the Azteca on Monday. However, he missed training earlier this week due to illness, kept away from the squad to prevent the bug from spreading. He was back in full training on Friday.
Guehi and James return
Marc Guehi had been absent from training at England's base in Kansas City with a hamstring problem, but he also rejoined the group in Miami. Reece James, Tuchel's first-choice right-back, has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in the group stage match against Ghana. The Chelsea captain missed the last three games but is now available for selection.
'We had everyone available in training. That's the best news,' Tuchel said in his pre-match press conference. The only absentee is Jarell Quansah, who was sent off in the 3-2 win over Mexico. FIFA confirmed the Bayer Leverkusen defender will serve a two-match suspension for serious foul play after a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo, upgraded from the usual one-game ban.
Tuchel focused on quarter-final
England overcame Mexico's ferocious home support to reach the last eight, where they face Norway and star striker Erling Haaland. 'I think we took a big step in our last match, but it was only a step,' Tuchel said. 'We're still hungry, we still have dreams and we still have a big goal to play for. The next step is to win the quarter-final. We left this match behind. We take the positive things and the belief with us, but everything that matters is ahead of us.'
