Reece James in major doubt for England's World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico as Jarell Quansah returns to training

Reece James was the only absentee as England held their final training session in Mexico City on Saturday, casting serious doubt over his availability for Monday's World Cup last-16 clash against the co-hosts at the Azteca Stadium. The Chelsea right-back, 26, has not trained fully with the squad since suffering a hamstring injury in the closing stages of the goalless draw with Ghana, which also caused him to miss England's subsequent victories over Panama and DR Congo. The Football Association told BBC Sport that James was following his own individual programme away from the training field. England manager Thomas Tuchel said on Saturday that James would need a late assessment to determine whether he is fit enough for the substitutes' bench. James's absence leaves Tuchel with a selection headache at right-back, a problem eased by the return of Jarell Quansah. The versatile defender, capable of playing centre-back or full-back, returned to full training on Saturday after missing the DR Congo win with a hamstring injury he sustained in the draw with Panama. Quansah's availability offers Tuchel a direct option at right-back, having been forced to improvise in the previous round. Djed Spence started against DR Congo but was substituted with England trailing, and midfielder Declan Rice finished the match in that position. Rice himself has been carrying a hamstring issue but is set to be available for the tie. The magnitude of the match leaves Tuchel with a difficult decision over whether to gamble on James's fitness, with England now in do-or-die territory against a host nation buoyed by the iconic Azteca setting.