England face injury setback ahead of DR Congo clash
England have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of their last 32 clash against DR Congo. Defensive duo Reece James and Jarell Quansah have been ruled out, as Thomas Tuchel’s right-back options continue to deplete, reports BritPanorama.
Quansah twisted his ankle during the Three Lions’ victory over Panama, securing a 2-0 win. He was stepping in for James, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The pair were the only England players to miss training ahead of the matchup. Tuchel is struggling for options at right-back after Tino Livramento was ruled out before the tournament started, opting instead to bring in Chelsea centre-half Trevoh Chalobah. Djed Spence now appears to be the likely starter against DR Congo, having featured in the group stages.
England managed to win two of their three group games, with their only hiccup being a 0-0 draw against Ghana. As the squad prepares to face DR Congo, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has expressed confidence in his team’s ability, emphasizing their belief and camaraderie. “Belief, togetherness. I think we have had that previously, but I think the manager’s got that belief in us,” he asserted.
Pickford further highlighted the intensity of the preparations, likening them to gearing up for combat. He noted, “There is different meetings he has tactically, and it is like ‘yeah, it is go time’.” With penalties potentially looming in the contest, he reassured fans that the team would focus on securing victory in the standard 90 minutes, stating, “We want to win the game in 90 minutes.”
As England gears up to face DR Congo, the spectre of injury reshuffling looms large. The outcome will reflect not only on individual performances but also on how well the team can rally amidst evolving challenges. The match promises to be a test of both skill and determination as they confront their African opponents.
