Reece James has not been included in England's starting lineup to face Mexico in the World Cup round of Last 16 in the early hours of Monday morning.
The 26-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in the aftermath of the Three Lions' second group game against Ghana and has been ruled out ever since.
Monday morning's clash at the Azteca Stadium will be the third match in a row that the Chelsea captain has missed.
After controversially leaving Trent Alexander-Arnold at home, James' absence, along with Tino Livramento's unfortunate exit on the eve of the tournament, has caused Thomas Tuchel no end of problems.
Reece James misses Mexico clash
Due to his lack of options, the England manager has been forced to rely on a makeshift back four, including playing Djed Spence at right-back against DR Congo the last time out.
Declan Rice was forced to make a cameo appearance at right-back against the Congolese, and although the Arsenal man did a great job, Tuchel was quick to rule him out of playing there again.
Jarrel Quansah was asked to do a job there before also suffering an injury which ruled him out last time. However, according to The Telegraph, the Bayer Leverkusen defender is set to return to the starting lineup against Mexico.
Consequently, despite there being hopes James could return in time for Mexico, England — now just hours away from kicking off at the Azteca — know they must attempt to reach the Last 16 without the help of the Chelsea skipper.
James failed to appear in England's last training session leading up to Monday's match so it's no surprise to see him omitted from Tuchel's final match day squad.
Instead, along with Quansah at right-back, Tuchel is expected to name a back four also featuring Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi at centre-back and Nico O'Reilly at left-back. Jordan Pickford will keep his place in goal.
England's expected lineup against Mexico
Jordan Pickford; Jarrel Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Nico O'Reilly; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham; Anthony Gordon, Buakyo Saka; Harry Kane.
James' tournament could be over but England fans will hope not
If James is to play again at this summer's World Cup, the Three Lions will need to find a way past the Mexicans.
A recent scan proved positive in James' fight to be fit enough to play again, and although the Mexico clash has come too soon, should his teammates do the job in Mexico City, the Chelsea star will be eyeing the quarter final stage as his next possible return date.
The winners of Brazil vs Norway will await the winners of England vs Mexico in the quarter finals on July 11.
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