Thomas Tuchel faces late fitness calls over a trio of starters ahead of England’s final group match against Panama.
Midfielders Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson both took knocks during the goalless draw with Ghana.
Rice left the Boston Stadium with strapping on his calf, while Anderson has a slight glute concern. If Tuchel decides against risking his preferred midfield pairing, it would mean Kobbie Mainoo and Jordan Henderson coming under consideration for their first starts of the tournament.
Reece James, however, is almost certain to miss out after reporting a tightness in his hamstring, and that could see Djed Spence switched to right back after starting on the opposite side against Ghana.
Elsewhere, Morgan Rogers is pushing for a start after impressing when he came on in the closing stages of the Ghana stalemate, with widemen Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka also looking for their first involvement from the off after cameos so far.
Eberechi Eze, meanwhile, has allayed fears of Rice’s calf problem representing a major issue for England at the World Cup.
Eberechi Eze has insisted that Declan Rice is not carrying any injuries
Rice was spotted with heavy strapping on his calf as he left the stadium after England’s draw against Ghana
The 27-year-old, who is one booking away from a suspension, is being assessed ahead of Saturday’s final group game with Panama.
‘Dec wants to play every game,’ Eze said. ‘He’ll do whatever he can to help the team. When you watch him play I don’t see that he’s carrying anything. He’s enjoying himself, having fun. I’m sure he is OK.’
Eze was given 16 minutes to make an impact against Ghana and is set to remain an impact substitute throughout the tournament.
The Arsenal midfielder believes that biding his time during a first season at the Emirates stands him in good stead to grow into the next few weeks.
Eze didn’t start nine consecutive Premier League matches around the turn of the year before becoming a crucial cog of Arsenal’s march to a first title in 22 years.
‘I think it definitely does help,’ he added. ‘I feel like that’s the type of position I’ve been put in. It’s the mentality that I’ve grown up having as well, staying ready, staying resilient, trusting that the time will come.
Thomas Tuchel is sweating over the fitness of Rice, Reece James (above) and Elliot Anderson
‘It’s about whenever you’re called upon being ready to express yourself and give what you’ve got. If that’s the case this tournament, I’m sure I’ll be ready for that.
‘It’s understanding that there is a role to play for me. Doing what I can whenever I get the opportunity. That’s all that matters. As long as I’m doing that, starting or coming off the bench, it’s my responsibility.’
Thomas Tuchel has discussed the idea of playing another creative midfielder alongside Jude Bellingham and Eze believes he could unlock stubborn defences further down the line.
‘It’s something that the manager has spoken about before, so it’s definitely something that we’ve got,’ Eze said.
‘They do so much research and analysis to find out what’s the best way to attack an opponent, so you trust what they’re doing.
‘Ghana did an incredible job. It’s not easy to play that way for 90 minutes. When you have a team sitting back and not too interested in how much of the ball they have, it does suit attacking players to be in tight spaces and be creative. To take risks. And that’s something I’m good at.’
