England starting XI vs Norway 'leaked' as Thomas Tuchel makes final right-back call

England manager Thomas Tuchel is 'poised' to start Ezri Konsa at right-back for the World Cup quarter-final against Norway, it has been reported.

There have been concerns over the right-back position since Reece James suffered a hamstring injury during the group stages, with Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah and Konsa himself all replacing him over the last three matches.

Out of those names, only Spence is a natural full-back, and played on the right flank in England's 2-1 win over DR Congo in the last 16 but had a tough evening in Atlanta.

Bayer Leverkusen defender Quansah replaced him for the 3-2 win over Mexico, but was shown a straight red card early in the second half. FIFA subsequently extended his ban to two matches, meaning he will also miss the semi-final if England beat Norway.

Konsa, therefore, filled in at right-back during the closing stages as England held on to their lead, and Tuchel is to hand him the position from the start against Norway.

That's according to The Athletic's David Ornstein, who reports that John Stones is expected to be brought in at centre-back to partner Marc Guehi after the Manchester City defender was passed fit.

Noni Madueke, meanwhile, is set to replace his Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka on the right wing.

That does mean Declan Rice is fit to start after a stomach bug, though the England medical staff are clearly taking no risks on James' fitness after he participated in a light training session with the rest of the squad on Friday.

Saka, meanwhile, entered the World Cup with an ongoing Achilles problem that limited his game time during the group stages, although he told reporters that he was 'feeling great and ready to go' ahead of the Norway clash.

He started against Mexico but was taken off for Stones on 57 minutes after Quansah's red card as Tuchel sought to shore up England's backline.

It is Madueke, though, who looks to have got the nod at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium - where searing hot temperatures of up of 33 degrees Celsius are forecast.

READ MORE: Will England vs Norway kick off on time? Latest probability amid heat and thunderstorm warnings

Expected England starting XI vs Norway: Jordan Pickford; Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Nico O'Reilly; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson; Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane (captain)

How Tuchel reacted to extended Quansah ban

Quansah's red card was for a high tackle on Mexico's Jesus Gallardo, where he won the ball but connected high on his opponent's shin afterwards.

The reasoning for the red card was 'serious foul play' - the same reasoning given for why Folarin Balogun was sent off for the United States against Bosnia and Herzegovina before FIFA suspended his one-match ban for a year.

Tuchel stated in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Norway clash that England had received 'no explanation' from FIFA on why Quansah's ban was extended by a further match.

The former Liverpool defender did train with the rest of the England squad on Friday, but will not be available for selection until the World Cup final if the Three Lions make it to that stage.

Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly are all one yellow card away from a suspension which would see them miss the semi-finals. Jordan Henderson is also on a yellow card but has been ruled out of the tournament after breaking his wrist in the Mexico post-match celebrations.