Marc Guehi has proved his fitness and is set to line up in the heart of England’s defence for the World Cup quarter-final against Norway, where he will be partnered by the returning John Stones.
The Manchester City centre-back sustained a minor hamstring strain during the victory over Mexico and has been absent from training sessions this week.
He is, however, expected to receive the all‑clear to keep his place at the centre of England’s backline.
Alongside him, Stones is poised to be recalled to the starting XI for the first time since the opening fixture against Croatia.
Ezri Konsa is likely to shift from central defence to the right‑back role.
Declan Rice is fit to start despite a stomach illness that disrupted his involvement in the build‑up to the game, while Noni Madueke is expected to get the nod over Bukayo Saka in another change to the lineup.
Reece James, who returned to training this week after recovering from a hamstring problem, is set to be named among the substitutes alongside fellow full‑back Djed Spence.
Stones and Guehi’s selection revives the central‑defensive pairing that lined up together for Manchester City last season, and the duo will now face their former club teammate Erling Haaland, who has scored seven goals at this World Cup — one more than Harry Kane. Stones left City when his contract expired at the start of this month.
The 32‑year‑old Stones has been a substitute for England in every match since the Croatia encounter. Nevertheless, he played a vital role against Mexico, replacing Saka in the 57th minute following Jarell Quansah’s red card.
While the precise thinking behind the likely selection of Madueke remains unclear, Saka has been carefully managed through the tournament because of an Achilles tendinitis issue he has been coping with since March.
This week the Arsenal winger said he would have loved to arrive at the tournament completely fit, but added that his condition had been handled “in the best way possible” and that he was feeling “great and ready to go”.
Anticipated England lineup: Pickford, Konsa, Guehi, Stones, O’Reilly, Anderson, Rice, Madueke, Gordon, Bellingham, Kane.
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