J. Quansah is set to start at right-back for England against Mexico after returning to full training from an ankle injury. The switch gives England a fit option in a position they have had to manage through the World Cup.
Quansah’s return to right-back
The England defender is back after the ankle injury he picked up in the group-stage win over Panama. This is only his sixth England cap, and one of his previous five came in the 2-0 win over Panama, so the same opponent has already marked a key point in his brief international run.
Quansah usually plays at centre-back for Bayer Leverkusen, which makes the selection notable even without any drama around the match itself. England’s expected XI points to him moving straight into right-back for the World Cup last-16 tie at the Azteca Stadium.
James under late assessment
Reece James has missed the past two matches after a hamstring problem late on against Ghana, and he was the only player absent for Saturday’s session in Mexico City. The Football Association said he was following his own individual programme away from the training field, and Thomas Tuchel said the Chelsea captain would need a late assessment before any decision on the substitutes bench against Mexico.
That leaves England weighing one fit starter against one player still being checked at the edge of selection. Djed Spence had started at left-back in the goalless group-stage draw with Ghana, but he complained of a muscle niggle on Sunday morning, adding another layer to the back-line reshuffle.
England XI for Mexico
Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon are expected to come into the side in place of Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford, with Jordan Pickford, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Nico O'Reilly, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane also in the projected XI. Declan Rice has been carrying a hamstring issue but is set to be fit to start, and he finished the DR Congo match at right-back.
England face Mexico on Monday at 01:00 BST, with the match live on One and iPlayer. For Quansah, the immediate story is simple: he has moved from ankle concern to starting role, while England still have to decide whether James can even make the bench.
