Chelsea captain and England right-back is being fast-tracked after a hamstring strain against Ghana, with the next few days likely to decide whether he can face Norway.
England are accelerating Reece James’s recovery in an effort to make the Chelsea captain available for the World Cup quarter-final against Norway on July 11 after a hamstring strain suffered against Ghana on June 26. James, 26, has not trained with the main squad since the injury and was initially ruled out of at least two group-stage matches, though he has remained with the team in the United States rather than returning to England. His participation in a limited warm-up session has offered the clearest sign yet of progress, but no final decision has been made on his availability. The next few days of training are expected to determine whether Thomas Tuchel can include what multiple reports describe as England’s most natural right-back option amid a shortage at the position. James’s history of muscle injuries adds uncertainty to any accelerated return, making his fitness one of the key selection issues before England’s last-eight meeting with Norway.