Overview
- Both Declan Rice and Reece James missed England training on Thursday and are scheduled for late fitness assessments before Saturday’s match in New Jersey.
- Sources describe Rice’s left‑calf strapping after the goalless draw with Ghana as a short‑term concern and say he remains in contention to play.
- Reece James is a major doubt after reporting hamstring tightness in the Ghana game and is being treated cautiously because of his history of hamstring problems.
- Kobbie Mainoo is the leading midfield standby if Rice is rested while England could reshuffle defence with Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah or Djed Spence covering at right‑back if James is unavailable.
- Tuchel is expected to delay final team selection until after the medical checks because the Panama result will determine whether England secure top spot and a preferred knockout route.