England manager Thomas Tuchel has defended his full-back selection policy after confirming that Reece James will miss Saturday's World Cup match against Panama – an injury that lays bare the risk of taking just three recognised full-backs to the tournament.
James was assessed by England medics following Tuesday's goalless draw against Ghana after complaining of a hamstring issue. Tuchel has since confirmed that the Chelsea right-back has not travelled to New Jersey from the team's Kansas City base for their final Group L game on Saturday (22:00 BST). The manager insists that James has a chance of playing in England's last-32 match next week, but BBC Sport understands that he is a significant doubt for the start of the knockout stages.
“Tuchel defends his full-back choices after Reece James is ruled out of the Panama match with a hamstring injury.”
"No-one could see that coming," Tuchel said. "Reece was in good shape and felt very good, so it's a bit unlucky but Ezri Konsa played in the position for us on a high level. We have still no problem."
James started only 20 league games last season because of injury problems. His latest issue – and the calf problem that forced Tino Livramento to return home from the United States – has thrown into question Tuchel's decision to bring only three recognised full-backs to the World Cup. There was no place in the squad for Real Madrid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, for example. Djed Spence, James and Livramento – who similarly had injury problems last season – were the only genuine full-backs selected.
Nico O'Reilly, who played at left-back for Manchester City last season, is also in the squad – but he came through the ranks at Etihad Stadium as a midfielder. Dan Burn has also played at left-back but is recognised as a centre-back. Spence and central defenders Jarell Quansah and Konsa are Tuchel's alternative options at right-back.
Nevertheless, Tuchel said: "Yes, I am [happy with my options at right-back]. I selected the team, so I'm very happy with everything with the characteristic of the players and strengths that they give us. We would love to have every single key player, we would love to have them available, it's not available – we find solutions, it's what we do. It's a tournament, we move on."
Tuchel is confident James will play again in the World Cup. "It's a minor hamstring issue, he's not been able to train the last two days," he said. But with England already guaranteed a place in the knockout stages – even if they drop to third in their group – the question of whether Tuchel's gamble on a thin full-back pool will come back to haunt him remains unanswered.