England manager Thomas Tuchel expects Reece James to be available for the World Cup quarter-final against Norway on Saturday (22:00 BST).
Tuchel’s right-back crisis intensified 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.
James is yet to return to full training having suffered a hamstring injury in the second group match against Ghana, and he has missed the games against Panama, DR Congo and Mexico.
But there is emerging hope the 26-year-old can ease England’s problems at right-back by returning to full training this week.
After Quansah’s red card in the 54th minute in Mexico City, Ezri Konsa – who has started all of England’s games at centre-back – finished as a right wing-back.
Over five matches, James, Djed Spence, Konsa, John Stones, Quansah and midfielder Declan Rice have all appeared as right-sided defenders at various points, while, in the build-up to the tournament, Tino Livramento suffered a calf injury.
Konsa and Spence remain options for Tuchel, but the expected availability of James will come as a welcome piece of news given the Chelsea captain is recognised as England’s first-choice right-back.