Reece James remains doubtful as England train without trio before Norway World Cup quarter-final

England boss Thomas Tuchel is having to keep tabs on several players ahead of some major calls as Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Reece James face races against time to face Norway in the World Cup quarter-final

England are sweating on the fitness of some key personnel ahead of their crunch World Cup quarter-final with Norway including right-back Reece James who has a hamstring issue

Thomas Tuchel's England were forced to train without Reece James, Declan Rice, and Marc Guehi as they ramp up preparations to take on Norway in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal

Thomas Tuchel watches on during Wednesday’s training session (Picture: Getty Images) Three England players sat out of training on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s huge World Cup quarter-final with Norway. The Three Lions are back at their training base in Kansas City, preparing at the Swope Soccer Village for this weekend’s game, which is taking place in Miami. It is not a clean bill of health in the England squad before the massive clash with the Norwegians, with Thomas Tuchel keeping an eye on fitness issues. Jordan Henderson is already ruled out of the match, and the rest of the tournament, after he ‘completely smashed’ his left forearm in celebrating the last 16 win over Mexico. Don't miss a World Cup moment Bellingham has stood tall for Thomas Tuchel (Picture: FIFA via Getty) England need three more wins, how are your nerves? Make sense of the drama with Metro's free daily newsletter, featuring England updates, match previews and exclusive analysis. Sign up now. The Brentford midfielder is staying with the squad, but has undergone surgery and will not play again this summer. There are less serious issues elsewhere in camp, but serious enough to see Reece James, Declan Rice and Marc Guehi all miss training on Wednesday. The Sun report that both Rice and Guehi are expected to be fine to face Norway, but are managing ongoing issues. England have returned to Kansas City between matches (Picture: Getty Images) Rice has been dealing with a hamstring complaint for months, but has been playing through it for club and country. The Arsenal star was left out of the final group game against Panama but has started all four other games for England at the World Cup. He will be in midfield again this weekend unless anything goes wrong when he does train this week. Guehi is reportedly dealing with ‘muscle fatigue’ but is also expected to start in Miami, likely partnering Ezri Konsa again at centre-back. Declan Rice has been playing through pain all tournament (Picture: Getty Images) James is the only serious uncertainty ahead of the quarter-finals as he continues his recovery from a hamstring problem picked up in the group stage. The Chelsea captain started the first two games of the tournament but has not played since the goalless draw with Ghana. Tuchel hinted ahead of the Mexico win that James was closing in on a return and there is hope that he will be fit enough to be involved against Norway, but a place in the starting XI seems unlikely. With Jarell Quansah suspended after his red card in the last round, Djed Spence appears the likeliest option to start at right-back against Norway, as he did against DR Congo in the last 32. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

Kansas City: Reece James remained doubtful for the Three Lions' FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Norway in Miami as the England defender was once again unable to train with the squad on Wednesday.James has been unavailable since he injured a hamstring in England’s goalless draw against Ghana in their second group game and also missed the epic knockout victory against Mexico on Sunday.Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Reece James missed training on Wednesday ahead of England’s quarterfinal match against Norway Will they be match ready come Saturday?#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/wP73IPEJRl— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 9, 2026 Heat is on… preparations intensify to face Norway in Miami. Marc Guéhi, Reece James and Declan Rice aren’t out on the pitch at Swope Soccer Village this morning as they work on individual programmes elsewhere. Jordan Henderson remains back at the team hotel after surgery pic.twitter.com/lH6z56W849— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) July 8, 2026 He has been targeting a return in the quarter-finals, but he is yet to return to full training. According to The Guardian, the right-back followed an individual programme away from the main group in Kansas City where England are based.Thomas Tuchel is facing a major crisis at right-back after Jarell Quansah's red card in Sunday's 3-2 win over Mexico, meaning the Bayer Leverkusen defender is suspended for England's next knockout tie in Miami.After focusing on rest and recovery following their thrilling 3-2 over Mexico in the round of 16 on Sunday, the majority of Thomas Tuchel’s squad returned to the grass at Swope Soccer Village. Wimbledon 2026: England Star Joe Root, Wife Carrie Make Stylish Appearance In Royal Box On Day 10 Of Championship Marc Guehi, Reece James and Declan Rice were absent from the morning session as they instead worked on individual programmes elsewhere ahead of Saturday’s tie. Rice has maintained that he is able to play on through the discomfort. Guéhi’s absence from team training was attributed to muscle fatigue. Meanwhile, Jordan Henderson, who suffered a "really bad" wrist injury while celebrating his side's dramatic World Cup last-16 win over Mexico, has returned to the England camp in Kansas City after undergoing a successful surgery rather than heading home. England vs Mexico: Jude Bellingham Brace, Harry Kane Penalty Help 10-Man Three Lions Beat Mexico 3-2 To Reach FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals | Video England Football said Henderson is "recovering at the team hotel having undergone successful surgery on his arm following an injury sustained after the win in Mexico City."Attention has now firmly turned to the quarter-final at Miami Stadium, with a last-four meeting with Argentina or Switzerland the prize for the winners.England have two more days of training before flying to Florida for the tie, which kicks off at the home of NFL franchise the Miami Dolphins.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

JACK GAUGHAN IN KANSAS CITY: The Chelsea right back did not train with Thomas Tuchel's squad in Kansas City on Wednesday, sitting the session out with Declan Rice and Marc Guehi.