England are putting in their final preparations for a huge World Cup quarter-final clash against Norway.
The Three Lions overcame Mexico 3-2 in the last round to set up a massive encounter against Erling Haaland's Norway on Saturday.
And although the Three Lions will go into this weekend's game as the favourites to book their place in the semi-finals, Thomas Tuchel is battling a major defensive crisis.
Trevoh Chalobah could play against Norway
The right-back position has been cursed since before the World Cup even started. Tino Livramento's injury on the eve of tournament saw Trevoh Chalobah earn a last minute call up. The Newcastle United man hasn't been the only player to be plagued by setbacks, though.
Reece James hasn't featured since England's second group game against Ghana after suffering a hamstring strain, and to make matters worse, Jarrel Quansah's red card against Mexico has seen the Bayer Leverkusen defender handed a two-game ban.
And worryingly, Tuchel — already short of options at the back — could also be without Marc Guehi. According to Sky Sports News, the Manchester City centre-back is a doubt after a hamstring strain saw him miss training with the rest of the squad on Thursday.
England Defenders | Position(s) | Status |
|---|---|---|
Nico O'Reilly | LB | Available |
Dan Burn | CB, LB | Available |
Djed Spence | LB, RB | Available |
Ezri Konsa | CB, RB | Available |
John Stones | CB | Available |
Trevoh Chalobah | CB | Available |
Marc Guehi | CB | Doubt |
Jarrel Quansah | CB, RB | Suspended |
Reece James | RB | Doubt |
Due to Guehi's possible exclusion, Dan Burn's colossal 20 minute cameo appearance against Mexico, which saw him defend with his life, has put him in contention to make his first World Cup start.
And although the Chalobah is unlikely to start against Norway, there is a possibility that the Chelsea defender gets on the pitch at some point.
Assessing Tuchel's options, Chalobah looks like he could be one of the first names to be substituted on if the Three Lions need to make in-play changes at the back.
England's potential lineup without Marc Guehi and Declan Rice
In addition to Guehi, Declan Rice is also a doubt due to the Arsenal star suffering from a sickness bug.
Should both Guehi and Rice end up being ruled out on Saturday, here's how England could lineup in their absence.
Jordan Pickford; Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, Nico O'Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jude Bellingham; Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka; Harry Kane.
Chalobah has yet to play a single minute at the World Cup.
However, should Tuchel find himself in a position where he has to find a solution at right-back, the German will be forced to shift Konsa over and then decide between introducing Stones or Chalobah.
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