England's team for their final group stage game of the World Cup has been 'leaked' ahead of tonight's clash with Panama, with Thomas Tuchel making some big decisions. According to Italian Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Tuchel is set to field a strong line-up despite the opportunity to rotate.
Three Changes Expected
The main question mark had been who would replace the injured Reece James at right back, with Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice also nursing a knock from Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Ghana. With that in mind, and against a Panama team still yet to score a goal at this summer's tournament, many had expected a highly rotated England side.
According to Di Marzio, Djed Spence will start at right back in place of Chelsea star James, with Nico O'Reilly coming back into the side at left back. Kobbie Mainoo is then expected to replace Rice in a midfield three alongside Elliot Anderson and Jude Bellingham. Further forward, Marcus Rashford is apparently set to replace Anthony Gordon on the left wing, with Arsenal's Noni Madueke continuing to start on the right ahead of club teammate Bukayo Saka.
James Injury Update
It had initially been thought that James would miss tonight's game and England's last 32 tie, but a worrying update this morning suggested that his tournament could be under threat. Speaking on Sky Sports, Rob Dorsett said: "Reece James' hamstring injury is worse than originally thought and I've been told the chances of him playing any more minutes at the World Cup depend entirely on whether England can reach the latter stages of the tournament."
Losing James for a substantial part of the tournament would be a major blow to England's hopes, having already lost back up right back Tino Livramento before the first game of the tournament. Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah was called up as a replacement, although he, like other members of the squad, is a more natural centre back option than right back.
