Ian Wright names England star who will start against Panama after Reece James blow

James could miss the next two games (Picture: CameraSport via Getty Images)

Ian Wright is confident Djed Spence will get the nod at right-back when England take on Panama in their final World Cup group game.

The Three Lions are set to be without Reece James for Saturday’s game in New York and their last 32 match against an opponent still to be determined next week after suffering a hamstring injury.

There is a shortage of natural right-back cover in the England squad with Tino Livramento suffering an injury that ended his tournament last week.

Trevoh Chalobah, called into replace the injured Livramento, can be played in that role, as can Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah, but Spence would appear to be the likely option.

Thomas Tuchel called the versatile full-back into his starting XI against Ghana midweek, starting him at left-back ahead of Nico O’Reilly.

Former Arsenal striker Wright believes Spence is the best shout to replace James, also urging Tuchel to start Bukayo Saka ahead of him on the right in a change he hopes will give England a greater attacking threat down that side of the pitch.

‘Reece has had those problems with injuries, Thomas knows him and thought he might be able to make it and unfortunately he hasn’t,’ Wright told ITV.

Spence could come in for James (Picture: Marcel Bonte/Soccrates/Getty Images)

‘But I think with Djed Spence there and bringing Saka in now, he’s had some rest, you’ve got to think a bit more from the attacking point of view and what we are capable of.

‘We’re going to miss his set piece delivery but I think we’ve got some cover for that.’

Saka is still to start a game at the World Cup (Picture: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Saka was left out of the starting XI in games against Croatia and Ghana with club teammate Noni Madueke starting ahead of him.

The Arsenal star has been dealing with an Achilles injury that saw him miss five games for his club in April.

He is in contention to start against Panama with Marcus Rashford hoping to come in on the left with Anthony Gordon having little impact so far.

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