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England are expected to have nearly a full squad available for their World Cup semi-final against Argentina, with Jordan Henderson and Jarell Quansah the only players set to miss the crucial encounter.
Henderson remains sidelined after undergoing surgery on the broken arm he sustained while celebrating England's victory over Mexico in the round of 16. Meanwhile, Quansah will serve a suspension after being sent off during the same match.
Their absences leave head coach Thomas Tuchel with plenty of options as he prepares his starting lineup for one of England's biggest matches of the tournament.
Tuchel has rotated his defensive line throughout the World Cup and has yet to name the same back four in consecutive games. However, he is reportedly considering keeping the defence that started the quarter-final victory over Norway.
Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly were all named in the starting lineup for that match and impressed during England's 2-1 win. Their disciplined performance and defensive organization have given Tuchel confidence that the quartet could remain unchanged for the semi-final.
Consistency at the back has been difficult to establish during the tournament because of injuries, suspensions and tactical adjustments. Even so, England's defensive unit has continued to deliver when it has mattered most, helping the team progress to the final four.
There was also encouraging news regarding midfielder Declan Rice, whose availability had briefly been in doubt after illness disrupted his preparations for the quarter-final against Norway.
Rice was unable to train normally in the build-up to that fixture, raising concerns about his condition. However, reports earlier this week suggested the Arsenal midfielder was recovering well and would likely be fit in time for the semi-final.
Those expectations have now been reinforced after Rice completed Tuesday's training session without any apparent issues. He is expected to start against Argentina in Atlanta, providing England with a major boost in midfield.
Rice has been one of England's key performers throughout the tournament, offering defensive stability, composure in possession and leadership in the center of the pitch. His return to full fitness gives Tuchel another important selection decision as he aims to guide England into the World Cup final.
With only Henderson and Quansah unavailable, England head into the semi-final in a strong position from a squad perspective. Tuchel now faces the challenge of deciding whether to reward the players who impressed against Norway or make tactical adjustments for what promises to be a fiercely contested clash against Argentina.
