Thomas Tuchel believes Reece James could return to the England matchday squad for the Three Lions’ crunch World Cup tie against Mexico.
Chelsea captain James did not take part in team training at a nearby facility on Saturday afternoon, instead undergoing a personalised programme as he looks to recover from a hamstring injury, but Tuchel said his first-choice right back would undergo a late fitness test before Sunday’s 6pm kick-off.
However, Jarrell Quansah is back fit after the ankle injury that he picked up a week ago against Panama. The Bayer Leverkusen defender could start at right back over Djed Spence, who struggled in the victory over DR Congo.
“Jarrell trained and is fully available,” Tuchel said. “Reece can maybe make it on the bench, but we need a last assessment from the doctors and a medical opinion.”
Elsewhere, Declan Rice has been declared fit for Sunday’s last-16 tie as the midfield linchpin continues to manage pain in his back and hamstring. Rice finished the game against DR Congo at right-back – but he is expected to start alongside Elliot Anderson in midfield.
Tuchel insists he does not expect a “hostile environment” for his players on Sunday, instead believing the Mexican fans will simply be “emotional and supportive” of their team.
“It will be emotional and full of support for the home nation,” Tuchel said at his pre-match press conference outside the 80,000-capacity stadium.
“I don’t expect any hostility. So far, everyone was very respectful. I don’t expect a hostile environment, a stadium like this – not a lot of stadiums can create an atmosphere for the home team.”
“It makes me feel very alive. I want to live up to the expectations for myself. I think we are there.’’
There has been plenty of talk about England’s players potentially being unable to sleep on Saturday night, with Mexican fans set to make loud noises and set off pyrotechnics outside their hotel. Yet Tuchel insisted his team “deserve respect” and they have around 100 riot police guarding their hotel to the west of the city centre.
“We have no issues today, I think Fifa are aware of the situation and we have security around the hotel,” he said. “It’s a 6pm kick-off so if we don’t have sleep, we have some time to get hours in in the morning.
“I don’t want to talk about problems that don’t exist. What I’ve experienced until now was very respectful, emotional and supportive. We are respectful of everyone and then we expect to be treated with respect. To talk about potential problems does not make sense to me.
“If they come, we will accept them. It’s a demanding tournament in itself, the best way to approach it is to be relaxed.”
England took part in a one-hour training session on Saturday afternoon as they looked to adapt to the much-talked-about topic of altitude, with Mexico City standing 7,220 feet above sea level.
“We feel it, I felt a slight headache through the day, didn’t sleep as well, but nothing that you cannot handle or adapt to,” Tuchel said.
“I think the players felt it in the first minutes of the training session but the longer it went, the better they could cope with it. We cannot physically adapt; it’s impossible. We’re here a day before to experience it.
“It’s not a coincidence that Mexico’s home turf is very strong, front foot, aggressive. I think the first 15-20 minutes will be the toughest for us. Once we overcome that, I think we are in a good place.”
Jordan Henderson, alongside Tuchel, admitted that Sunday’s occasion will be right up there with the biggest matches he’s ever experienced.
“A huge occasion, doesn’t get much bigger or better playing Mexico in Mexico City in that stadium, no words really,” Henderson, who is appearing in his fourth World Cup, said.
“Incredible occasion for everyone but it’s about staying focused. Mexico are a very good side, with very good players. Every game in the World Cup is difficult – everyone is looking forward to playing this game tomorrow.
“I hope it brings the best out of us.”
