England dealt double injury blow ahead of World Cup clash against DR Congo

England have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of their last 32 clash against DR Congo.

Defensive duo Reece James and Jarell Quansah have been ruled out, as Thomas Tuchel's right-back options continue to deplete.

Quansah twisted his ankle during the Three Lions' victory over Panama, as England won 2-0.

He was stepping in for James who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

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The pair were the only England players who missed training ahead of the last-32 contest.

Tuchel is struggling for options at right-back after Tino Livramento was ruled out before the tournament started, opting to bring in Chelsea centre-half Trevoh Chalobah.

Djed Spence appears to be the likely starter against DR Congo, having featured during the group stages.

England won two of their three group games, only being held to a 0-0 draw by Ghana in their second contest.

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Despite one or two question marks being raised about the Three Lions, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has backed his side to run well.

"Belief, togetherness. I think we have had that previously, but I think the manager's got that belief in us.

"The meetings the manager has with us, it is like you are ready to go to war. He puts that belief in you.

"There is different meetings he has tactically, and it is like 'yeah, it is go time'.

"We all want the same goal, we all want that end goal, and this squad he has picked, we are all in good spirits and all in good moments in our career," he told the BBC.

When asked if penalties could be on the cards once again for the Three Lions, Pickford insisted England will be focused on getting the job done.

"We want to win the game in 90 minutes, but we will ready as a team, as a group, as England to do what it takes to get the victory.

"If it goes to penalties, extra time, we have got the ability, we have got the lads to come off the bench, our togetherness is a high level and that is what we are here to do.

"We are here to do the job. We know Congo is a tough nation, we know how many teams in Africa have qualified for the next round of games.

"They are a proud nation, and we have got to be ready for what they bring - but it is also about what we bring as a group, and we will be right after them," he told ITV.

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