England faces uncertainty over the fitness of defender Reece James as they prepare for their World Cup quarter-final clash against Norway, led by Erling Haaland. James did not participate in team training with manager Thomas Tuchel's squad in Kansas City on Wednesday, instead working out separately. He has been sidelined since England's second group stage match, a goalless draw against Ghana.
Alongside James, midfielders Declan Rice and Marc Guehi also sat out the main training session. However, their absence was described as a measure to manage player load after a demanding match in Mexico City on Sunday, with both expected to be available for Saturday's fixture. James's participation remains hopeful as he races against time to prove his fitness for the upcoming game in Miami.
Further complicating preparations, forecasts predict thunderstorms in Miami for Saturday, potentially causing delays. England's previous match in Mexico City was delayed by an hour due to severe weather. The Miami game could face similar disruptions, with matches subject to half-hour postponements if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium.
Tuchel is reportedly exploring strategies to counter Haaland's threat. Teammate Morgan Rogers acknowledged the difficulty of completely neutralizing the prolific striker, who scored twice in their previous game. "Has anyone ever stopped Erling Haaland? I'm not sure they have," Rogers commented. "You're in awe of how good he is and the level he's at. We'll have to work on how the ball gets into him. It takes a whole team effort to stop their supply line. You're never surprised if Erling scores two and wins a game. It'll be difficult."
Several England players, including Nico O'Reilly, Guehi, Rice, and Jude Bellingham, are carrying yellow cards heading into the quarter-final. Additionally, Jordan Henderson has remained with the squad despite undergoing surgery for a broken wrist, demonstrating his commitment to supporting the team.