Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson are available for Englandâs match against Panama if called upon.
The central midfield pair have been integral to Englandâs first two games of their World Cup campaign but had been considered something of a doubt for Englandâs final Group L match.
He did not train fully on Thursday. But he and Anderson were both in training at Englandâs Kansas City base camp on Friday, before the squad flew to New York ahead of Saturdayâs meeting with Panama.
âAnderson and Rice were training today,â Tuchel said. âThey had minor issues after the match but they had enough time to recover.
âSo everyone except for Reece James is available, and we will take the decision [on who starts the game] tomorrow.â
Tuchel went on to confirm in an answer to a later question: âElliot and Declan are both available.â
Having Rice and Anderson available for selection against Panama is a boost to England, who have suffered a blow with regards the fitness of James.
The Chelsea captain is the only nominal right-back in the squad after Tino Livramento dropped out on the eve of the tournament with a calf injury.
Yet James, who has a history of injuries, is now out of the Panama match with a hamstring issue and is a doubt for Englandâs round of 32 match as well.
The central midfield pair have been integral to Englandâs first two games of their World Cup campaign but had been considered something of a doubt for Englandâs final Group L match.
He did not train fully on Thursday. But he and Anderson were both in training at Englandâs Kansas City base camp on Friday, before the squad flew to New York ahead of Saturdayâs meeting with Panama.
âAnderson and Rice were training today,â Tuchel said. âThey had minor issues after the match but they had enough time to recover.
âSo everyone except for Reece James is available, and we will take the decision [on who starts the game] tomorrow.â
Tuchel went on to confirm in an answer to a later question: âElliot and Declan are both available.â
Having Rice and Anderson available for selection against Panama is a boost to England, who have suffered a blow with regards the fitness of James.
The Chelsea captain is the only nominal right-back in the squad after Tino Livramento dropped out on the eve of the tournament with a calf injury.
Yet James, who has a history of injuries, is now out of the Panama match with a hamstring issue and is a doubt for Englandâs round of 32 match as well.
