England defender Marc Guehi faces fitness assessment ahead of Norway quarter-final
Injury Concerns for England Ahead of Quarter-Final
England defender Marc Guehi is set to undergo an assessment on Friday to determine his fitness for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final match against Norway. The centre-back sustained a hamstring injury following England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico in the last 16 at the Azteca Stadium. Initially, the injury was thought to be muscular fatigue, but it is now understood to be a hamstring strain.
Guehi is reportedly keen to prove his fitness and remains optimistic about his involvement in the upcoming match. However, if he is unable to train with the squad on Friday, his inclusion against Norway will be in significant doubt. While the issue is not considered serious, England head coach Thomas Tuchel may be hesitant to take risks with defenders, especially with Erling Haaland, who has scored seven goals, on the opposing side.
Midfielder Declan Rice has also missed a second consecutive day of training due to a sickness bug. Rice has been managing a neural issue affecting his hamstring and lower back since Christmas, which has been exacerbated by his illness. Measures have been taken by England to prevent the spread of the bug within the squad.
Defensive Boosts and Setbacks
In more positive news for Tuchel, first-choice right-back Reece James returned to full training on Thursday. James had been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury during the goalless draw with Ghana. His return is a welcome boost for England, particularly given the team’s challenges in the right-back position due to previous injuries and suspensions.
James did not complete the entire training session but is anticipated to be available for the match against Norway, provided he experiences no adverse effects from Thursday’s session. Reports had indicated that the Chelsea defender was expected to return to training and be in contention for the game.
However, England faces another defensive setback as Jarell Quansah, who started at right-back against Mexico, has been banned for two games following a red card in the round-of-16 tie. This adds to the existing defensive concerns, which include Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, who injured his calf before the tournament, leading to Chelsea central defender Trevoh Chalobah’s call-up as a replacement.
With these issues, Djed Spence was potentially the only natural right-back available for the match against Norway. If Guehi is unable to play, John Stones, Dan Burn, and Chalobah are all available as centre-back options.
Team Morale and Opposition Outlook
Despite the injury concerns, the England camp has seen the return of Jordan Henderson, who sustained an arm fracture after the Mexico game and underwent surgery. Although it was presumed Henderson would not play again in the tournament, his teammate Morgan Rogers suggested that the players have not ruled him out, highlighting Henderson’s leadership and experience as vital to the squad.
Rogers also spoke about the benefits of having a fixed base camp in Kansas City, which has helped the team feel at home, despite the travel involved. He also praised Jude Bellingham’s explosive form in the tournament, stating that the player is only going to improve and is ready to make an impact in the quarter-final.
Meanwhile, Norway, who defeated Brazil, are preparing for a significant test against England. Martin Ødegaard acknowledged England’s strong squad but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to perform as underdogs, similar to their previous match. Rumours of sickness within the Norway camp have been downplayed by Ødegaard and head coach Ståle Solbakken, with no concerns reported for Saturday’s match.
The England squad enjoyed a mini-break after the physically demanding Mexico match, with a warm-down session on Monday and a complete day off on Tuesday, allowing players to spend time with their families before focusing on the upcoming quarter-final.
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Source: bbc.com
Amelia Stockwell is a Sports Reporter at News GB. She covered two Commonwealth Games for a national outlet. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of York and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in York, she runs with a local club and follows county cricket. “The quiet stories often matter most by the end of the season.”
