Reece James has been left devastated after Gareth Southgate told Chelsea’s injured right-back that he will not be named in England’s World Cup squad.
James has been pushing to recover for Qatar since sustaining a knee ligament injury against Milan last month. He was confident of being available for the knockout stages but Southgate has decided that he cannot gamble on the defender’s fitness. England’s opening game against Iran is on 21 November and there have been indications that James will not be fit until December.
England have depended on Walker, who can play at right-back and right centre-back, for his speed. However they must adjust without James, who was favourite to start at right wing-back. The 22-year-old had been in outstanding form before his injury. He resumed jogging outside this week and was hopeful of proving his fitness to Southgate. However there was no guarantee of James being ready for England’s group games against Iran, Wales and the USA.
Southgate is expected to adjust by using Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier at right wing-back. James’s absence is also likely to mean good news for Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, and there could also be good news for Ben White. The Arsenal centre-back has excelled at right-back for his club this season.
Defence is the big concern for England. The Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire has started one Premier League game since August and Chilwell’s absence has limited Southgate’s options on the left. Chilwell was hopeful of competing with Luke Shaw for a spot at wing-back. Southgate could pick Tottenham’s Ryan Sessegnon or Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell, but James Justin was injured during Leicester’s win over Newport on Tuesday. Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters has also been injured. Southgate could choose to use Trippier as cover for Shaw. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has played at left wing-back for England.
The main decision in attack for Southgate is whether to recall Marcus Rashford, who has made a fine start to the season for Manchester United. Tammy Abraham, Ivan Toney and Callum Wilson are competing for spots as Harry Kane’s deputy up front.
Source: The Guardian
