Right-backs Jarell Quansah and Reece James will miss England’s World Cup last-32 match against DR Congo because of injury.
The pair did not take part in training on Tuesday before Wednesday’s game in Atlanta (17:00 BST), which is live on BBC One and iPlayer.
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England manager Thomas Tuchel could utilise Djed Spence at right-back again, or move versatile Aston Villa man Ezri Konsa from central defence.
“They are getting close,” Tuchel said of the missing pair. “In the nature of their injury, Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reece.
“But the race was close even to make it into the match squad this time, so we need to make sure that we have more matches.
“That is the main focus, and then they will be available very soon.”
Quansah came off with a twisted ankle in England’s 2-0 win over Panama in their final group game on Saturday, with Spence replacing the Bayer Leverkusen defender.
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The former Liverpool player had come into the side for his World Cup debut after Chelsea defender James was ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained in the 0-0 draw with Ghana in England’s second group game.
Tuchel had previously said James could be in contention for the DR Congo match, but has now ruled him out.
The injuries at right-back have put scrutiny on Tuchel’s squad selection for this tournament with some questioning whether the make-up of the squad is balanced.
On the eve of England’s first game of the tournament, Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento withdrew from the squad with a calf issue, with Trevoh Chalobah called up in his place.
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Tuchel said Chalobah was called up as a central defensive option, with Quansah and Spence the players to cover the full-back areas.
Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold was overlooked. He only played for Tuchel once because of injury and was not selected for squads in the build-up to this tournament.
Spence played the last 10 minutes of England’s opening group win over Croatia at left-back, the position he played for Tottenham for most of last season.
The 25-year-old then started the Ghana draw at left-back before replacing Quansah at right back in the 63rd minute.
Konsa has become one of Tuchel’s most trusted players and a regular starter since the German took charge in January 2025.
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The 28-year-old made his England debut at right-back in 2024, when former manager Gareth Southgate praised his performance in dealing with lively Brazil forward Vinicius Jr.
“First of all, I trust my players,” Tuchel said. “It’s not worth to be too long upset about it and focus on the problem. Find the solution, this is team sport.
“We would love to have Reece with us, we would love to have Jarell with us, but they’re injured at the moment so other players will step up and we will push this over the line tomorrow as a team no matter what happens.”
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