England Boosted by Guehi and Rice Fitness Ahead of Norway Clash

England’s preparations for their World Cup quarter-final in Miami received a timely lift as Marc Guehi and Declan Rice both came through training on the eve of the showdown with Norway.

Guehi had been a major concern after reports of a hamstring problem, the sort of injury that can turn a campaign on its head. Rice, meanwhile, had been laid low by a stomach bug in the wake of last weekend’s hard-fought win over Mexico. Both were back with the main group at Inter Miami’s training base, moving freely and easing the tension around Thomas Tuchel’s plans.

The mood improved again when Reece James stepped onto the grass. The right-back, also recovering from a hamstring issue, trained with the squad and now looks on course to be available for selection. For a coach who leans heavily on his full-backs for width and tempo, James’s presence is no small detail.

Only Jordan Henderson sat this one out. The midfielder has begun his recovery from wrist surgery after his fall during the wild celebrations that followed England’s famous victory at the Estadio Azteca. He remains in Miami in a supporting role, part of the inner circle but, for now, confined to the sidelines.

England returned to Florida for the first time since their pre-tournament camp and were hit by the full force of the Miami heat. The temperature climbed to 33 degrees, the humidity pushing it to something even more punishing. Players toweled off between drills, water bottles never far from reach, the session as much about coping with the climate as sharpening tactics.

This is exactly what they had planned for. The group stages took them indoors twice and into rain on three other occasions; now comes the test they always knew was waiting — a knockout tie in brutal conditions, with their key men back on the pitch and no excuses left.