Reece James has missed another training session with England, and at this point it feels less like a surprise and more like a recurring nightmare that nobody can wake up from. The Chelsea captain was absent on Wednesday as the squad prepared for their World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami on Saturday, and the worry is very real that he might not make it in time.
The thing with James is that when he is fit, he is arguably the best right-back in the world. Quick, physical, brilliant going forward and solid at the back. England genuinely look like a different team with him in it. The problem is that keeping him fit has been about as reliable as a British summer, and it has been that way for a couple of years now. England fans have essentially had to learn to live with the uncertainty, and it is not a comfortable place to be when you are deep into a World Cup.
What makes this even more interesting is the Morgan Rogers angle. The Aston Villa man has been part of the squad and apparently told reporters that the training base feels like home, which is a lovely thing to say and also suggests he is settling in nicely. Whether that translates into any kind of role against Norway remains to be seen, but it is good to hear a young player embracing the environment.
If James does not make it, England will need someone to step up at right-back against a Norway side that will not exactly roll over. Norway have quality and they will fancy their chances if England look disorganised or uncertain in that area. Southgate will have contingency plans, he always does, but nobody is pretending those plans are as good as having a fully fit Reece James.
England will be hoping for some positive news on Thursday or Friday. The squad looks strong enough overall to go deep in this tournament, but injury uncertainty around key players at this stage is the last thing anyone needs. Fingers crossed he makes it, because England are simply better with him on the pitch.
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