Jarell Quansah never actually got kitted up for England against DR Congo – despite being named on the bench.
The Three Lions defender injured his ankle after starting the 2-0 win over Panama in New Jersey last weekend.
He was subbed off due to the issue and Thomas Tuchel later noted during his pre-match press conference in Atlanta that both Quansah and Reece James wouldn’t be ready to feature in the Round of 32.
Tuchel said on Tuesday: “They are getting closer and closer. Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reecey.
“The race was close to even make it in the match squad for this time. We need to make sure we have more matches, that is the main focus, and then they will be available very soon.”
Eyebrows were then raised when Quansah was named among the substitutes against DR Congo.
He was also spotted walking on the pitch at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium pre-game, indicating he was actually part of the squad.
Still, he never got changed and watched the game alongside fellow injured starlet James.
There’s hope he will be ready to return against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, though does not appear likely to start.
Quansah is back in light training on the grass and there’s hope he will rejoin team training in Kansas City before the squad fly to Mexico City on Friday.
Djed Spence started at right-back, England’s problem position, in Georgia and found in tough in spells.
He was heavily involved in DR Congo’s opener, getting dragged across before Brian Cipenga fired past Jordan Pickford.
View 2 ImagesJarell Quansah was named on the bench for England vs DR Congo but never got changed into kit
Tuchel paid tribute to the mentality of his side after the triumph after they refused to throw in the towel at 1-0.
He explained: This team today did not accept defeat as an outcome.
“They just didn’t accept it, and it makes me very proud because they did what was necessary. The going got tough today, and then they showed up, and we got the deserved win.
“We don’t give in, we don’t give in. That’s what this team is about. Like I said, they didn’t accept it and it’s so good to get this feeling on the sideline as a coach.
“I think the halftime result was not a fair result. We conceded very early, which made things more complicated than they were already. I think we didn’t get our press right in the first 15 to 20 minutes.
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“I saw that a stronger team attacked more and more with freedom and attacked with more and more threats towards their goal. We kept the belief and I think even in the second half we kept pushing, pushing, pushing, the goalkeeper kept on saving, incredible saves.”
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