England's preparations for their World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami on Saturday have been overshadowed by right-back Reece James's continuing injury doubt, after he was again unable to train with the squad on Wednesday. The situation matters because manager Thomas Tuchel faces a genuine crisis in the position: James has not featured since injuring a hamstring in the goalless group draw with Ghana, and his stand-in Jarell Quansah is suspended for the Norway match after being sent off in the win over Mexico.

James, who is based with the squad in Kansas City, worked to an individual programme away from the main group, which was not read as an encouraging sign. Declan Rice and Marc Guéhi also trained separately — Rice managing long-standing nerve pain in a hamstring and Guéhi with muscle fatigue — though both are expected to be available. Jordan Henderson has returned to camp after surgery on a fractured arm, and is presumed out of the tournament but not ruling himself out. Morgan Rogers praised the benefits of England's fixed base camp and backed Jude Bellingham, 23, to keep improving after his strong tournament form.