England faces mounting defensive concerns ahead of its last-16 World Cup clash with Mexico, with right-back Djed Spence reporting a muscular problem that casts doubt on his participation in Sunday's fixture. Spence has started all four of the team's group-stage matches, but his fitness status remains unconfirmed and will require a late assessment before the knockout encounter.

The injury compounds an already precarious situation at right-back, where captain Reece James has been absent due to a hamstring injury sustained earlier in the tournament and remains unavailable for full training. England's defensive depth in the position has been further weakened by the pre-tournament departure of Tino Livramento with a calf problem and the decision not to call up Trent Alexander-Arnold as cover, leaving manager Thomas Tuchel potentially forced to deploy centre-back Ezri Konsa out of position or adopt a different formation against Mexico.