England pair Declan Rice and Reece James missed England’s training session on Thursday ahead of their World Cup clash against Panama.
Right-back James suffered a hamstring injury during the goalless draw to Ghana on Tuesday and there are concerns over his fitness for Saturday’s showdown, live on eSPORTY, and beyond.
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James will also require assessment as England head into their next match in New Jersey.
The 26-year-old completed the full game against Ghana but will be checked by medics over the next 24 hours.
Chelsea’s captain has a history of injury, having recovered from a hamstring issue in time for the World Cup, and his load will be monitored closely.
James has suffered a staggering 10 hamstring injuries since December 2020, but enjoyed a far better time of things fitness-wise this season.
The right-back made his most appearances in a campaign since 2020/21 this term, featuring 39 times in all competitions.
Key midfielder Rice was spotted limping out of the ground in Boston with heavy strapping around his calf following the game.
According to BBC, Rice’s knock isn’t thought to be a major concern, with Rice’s long-term involvement in the World Cup not believed to be at risk.
However, it is still understood to require assessment and rest before England come to a decision over his involvement against Panama.
Thomas Tuchel’s side take on the world’s no.34-ranked nation on Saturday, and the manager and his staff will have to weigh up the risks of playing Rice.
The Arsenal star was also taken off in the game against Croatia, who later revealed he has been battling nerve pain in his hamstring.
Night to forget
Rice and James’ fitness worries come after both received less than favourable reviews in England’s disappointing draw with Ghana.
A consistently-high performer, Rice was handed a brutal 2/10 rating by eSPORTY’s Adrian Durham in his post-match player ratings.
And James didn’t fare much better, who was judged to have put in a 3/10 performance as the Three Lions came in for huge criticism.
After kicking off their tournament with a statement 4-2 win over Croatia, England were brought back down to earth as they lacked ideas and cutting edge in Boston.
eSPORTY’s Durham raged at full-time: “What a load of rubbish that was”, with Djed Spence and Anthony Gordon bearing the brunt of his frustrations.
England now head to New York to face Panama in their final Group L game needing a win to guarantee top spot.
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In the wars
While a number of England’s stars looked off the boil against Ghana, Rice’s sub-par display may have been explained by his fitness update.
While the all-action midfielder now looks to be contending with a calf issue, this isn’t his only concern.
Rice has also been battling nerve pain in his hamstring since December, having only revealed this following England’s World Cup opener against Croatia.
This came after he sparked concern when he was spotted limping following his 72nd-minute withdrawal in the game.
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Explaining that his early substitution had been precautionary, Rice revealed his ongoing fitness battle is a result of his relentless schedule with Arsenal this season.
The former West Ham skipper played 55 matches for the Gunners in the 2025/26 season across all competitions as he helped his side win a first Premier League title in 22 years – while also finishing as a runner-up in both the Champions League and Carabao Cup.
He told ITV Sport: “I was feeling a little bit of neural pain in my hamstring, which I was managing from after Christmas with Arsenal for a very long time.
Rice later added: “It’s an obscene amount of games, the schedule was crazy, but what can we do about it? You can’t sit and complain.
“We have to just get on with it for the moments like I had winning that Premier League.
“You’d play as many games as possible to have that feeling again and knowing that there’s a World Cup at the end of it as well.”
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