England coach Thomas Tuchel is confronting a potential injury crisis at right-back ahead of the World Cup round of 16 clash against DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday. Key defenders Jarell Quansah and Reece James face uncertain fitness, with both players battling injuries that could sideline them from the crucial knockout match.

Quansah was forced off during England’s recent group stage victory over Panama due to an ankle injury, adding to the ongoing defender concerns. Meanwhile, James continues to manage a hamstring problem and is expected to miss the upcoming game but remains hopeful of returning for later stages, including a potential last-16 encounter with Mexico in Mexico City on July 5.

Tuchel acknowledged the tight turnaround for both players but remains focused on finding solutions to the defensive dilemma. “It will be a tight race for Reece James and a tight race for Jarell Quansah, but it is our job to find solutions – and we will,” he said.

To address the shortage of available right-backs, Tuchel is considering repositioning Ezri Konsa in that role. This adjustment could open a spot for John Stones to re-enter central defense. Stones, who had limited playing time last season with Manchester City, has regained full fitness and has been in the mix for starting roles, including consideration for the recent Panama match.

Tuchel has been rotating his squad throughout the group stage and indicated that changes will persist as the tournament progresses. Given the expanded format with 48 teams, he suggested maintaining a static lineup is impractical. “I know my starting 15. And from there I build and I see the energy on the training pitch and I see what the output is from match to match. And then we see what the opponent brings and how we need to react,” Tuchel explained.

With the knockout stages underway, England face the challenge of managing a depleted defensive line while navigating a demanding schedule, underscoring the importance of squad depth and adaptability.