England’s medical staff is racing against the clock to get Chelsea captain Reece James fit for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami. The 26-year-old strained his hamstring during the group-stage match against Ghana on June 26, and the team is now fast-tracking his rehabilitation with just days until kickoff.

The injury and what England is dealing with

James hasn’t trained with the main squad since picking up the injury roughly two weeks ago. His initial medical evaluation described the hamstring strain as “minor,” but it was still enough to rule him out of at least two matches during the group stage.

James chose to stay with the squad in the United States rather than fly back to England. He has reportedly participated in a limited warm-up session, which is the first tangible sign of progress. The medical team is running a targeted, accelerated rehabilitation program designed to test whether he can contribute in the knockout round.

England manager Thomas Tuchel is dealing with what multiple reports describe as a right-back selection crisis. James isn’t just a nice-to-have option. He’s potentially the only fully capable solution at the position if he can prove his fitness in time.

The Chelsea captain’s injury history adds a layer of uncertainty. Muscle injuries have been a recurring theme throughout his career, which makes any fast-tracked recovery inherently risky. There’s no final decision on his availability yet. The next few days of training will determine whether Tuchel can include him in the matchday squad.