Major England injury update amid Reece James and Declan Rice fitness concerns

England are nearing a clean bill of health ahead of their last-16 World Cup clash with Mexico.

Boss Thomas Tuchel has been sweating on the fitness of Rice after complaining of discomfort in his hamstring following Wednesday’s 2-1 win over DR Congo. The Arsenal midfielder has been dealing with neural pain in his hamstring since Christmas and was taken off as a precaution in the opening group game win over Croatia.

Meanwhile, there is further good news for the Three Lions after scan results conducted on James came back positive.

The Chelsea skipper has missed the last two games with a hamstring problem but is on the mend after early reports had claimed he might miss the remainder of the tournament.

The news will be a welcome surprise to Tuchel who will need his walking wounded ready for the business end of the tournament. Speaking to talkSPORT, the Three Lions boss said: "Reece is maybe on the bench tomorrow, let's see. But everyone else is fully available."

England step into a cauldron on Sunday night when they face Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium.

The high altitude in Mexico City is expected to see Tuchel’s stars pushed to their physical limits.

The England boss is likely to utilise his squad depth in an attempt to overcome the wider challenges that the game will present. If Tuchel deems James fit enough to play some part of this weekend’s showdown then it will also clear up his right-back conundrum.

Jarell Quansah and Djed Spence have both deputised in James' absence however neither have been able to stake a claim for the berth. If Tuchel deems James fit enough to play some part of this weekend’s showdown then it will also clear up his right-back conundrum.

Jarell Quansah and Djed Spence have both deputised in James' absence however neither have been able to stake a claim for the berth. If Tuchel deems James fit enough to play some part of this weekend’s showdown then it will also clear up his right-back conundrum.

Jarell Quansah and Djed Spence have both deputised in James' absence however neither have been able to stake a claim for the berth. And of course, the altitude, the adaptation physically to the altitude is in their favour because we are not adapted and they are but we will overcome that. I think we have to overcome it. We want to overcome it.

“We accept it. We will not complain about it. It's just what it is. Makes life, makes things difficult.”