England’s Norway preparations hit by fitness and illness scares
England’s Norway preparations hit by fitness and illness scares
Matt LawThu, July 9, 2026 at 10:30 PM UTC
0
Thomas Tuchel has injury concerns before the semi-final against Norway - Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
Thomas Tuchel’s preparations for England’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway have been hit by fitness and illness.
Telegraph Sport understands that Marc Guéhi has been nursing hamstring pain during the past couple of days. Guéhi did not train on Wednesday and was still said to be feeling the issue on Thursday, before England’s final training session in Miami on Friday.
Guéhi is optimistic that he can shake off the issue and make himself available, but the England head coach will be wary of taking any risks with the fitness of his players.
It remains to be seen whether Guéhi can train fully and freely on Friday. Losing the central defender would be a big blow for Tuchel, as he tries to prepare England for facing Erling Haaland, the Norway striker.
Guehi plays alongside Haaland at Man City - Shaun Brooks/Getty Images
Declan Rice, the vice-captain, has also been missing from training this week amid fears about a sickness bug spreading through the squad.
Rice has been managing pain in his hamstring and back, but is also understood to have felt ill. Rather than risk the spread of any illness, Tuchel is thought to have kept the midfielder away from the main group as a precaution. The expectation is that Rice will be cleared to face Norway, but his absence from training has not helped Tuchel’s preparations.
Tuchel is already missing Jordan Henderson, who broke a bone in his arm after the victory over Mexico.
Advertisement
Reece James returned to training on Thursday, but it is unclear whether he will be fit enough to start against Norway.
James is unlikely to have taken part in all of the drills on Thursday, having missed the last three games with a hamstring problem adding to England’s predicament at right-back.
James will hope to take part in training again on Friday and may step up his participation if he has not felt any adverse reaction to Thursday’s reduced session.
Jarell Quansah filled in at right-back against Mexico, but was sent off and is serving a two-game ban that rules him out of the Norway game and a potential semi-final.
John Stones would be favourite to replace Guéhi and Djed Spence would be ready to step in at right-back if James cannot start. Another option for Tuchel would be to draft both Stones and Dan Burn, and shift Ezri Konsa to right-back.
Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
Source: “AOL Sports”
