From ankle injury to Azteca start: Quansah’s World Cup audition

England will name Jarell Quansah at right-back when they face Mexico in the World Cup last-16 tie at the Azteca Stadium. The Bayer Leverkusen defender starts ahead of Djed Spence, who pulled out on Sunday with a muscle niggle. England’s expected XI includes Jordan Pickford; Jarell Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Nico O'Reilly; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson; Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane. The 23-year-old Quansah returns after recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the group-stage win over Panama. He played just 22 minutes of that match before coming off, rolling his ankle in the process. Djed Spence started at left-back against Ghana and was a substitute in the wins over Croatia and Panama. Reece James remains sidelined with a hamstring problem and has not trained fully since the Ghana match. The Chelsea captain was the only player absent from Saturday’s session in Mexico City, following an individual programme away from the group. Thomas Tuchel told the media on Saturday that James would need a late fitness assessment before a decision on his inclusion in the substitutes bench.

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Declan Rice finished the DR Congo match at right-back, covering for the injured James. The Arsenal midfielder has been carrying a hamstring issue but is set to start against Mexico. Newcastle’s Tino Livramento was forced to withdraw before the tournament with a calf problem, prompting Tuchel to call up Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah instead of a specialist right-back. Quansah, who has made five previous England appearances, played at right-back against Panama after James’s injury. He was replaced early in the second half after his ankle rolled again. The defender joined Bayer Leverkusen last summer for £35 million following his European Under-21 Championship win with England.

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At Leverkusen, Quansah has played 44 times and scored five goals, two more than his five in 58 Liverpool appearances. He spent a loan at Bristol Rovers during his time at Anfield, where he won the Premier League and Carabao Cup. England go into the tie knowing they have struggled against low blocks and face a Mexican side famed for their organisation. The kick-off in Mexico City is at 01:00 BST on Tuesday.