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Declan Rice will give England a boost by returning for the last-32 tie against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Wednesday but Jarell Quansah is likely to add to Thomas Tuchel’s worries at right-back by missing out with an ankle injury.

Tuchel’s plans were complicated by Tino Livramento leaving the camp with a calf injury this month and the head coach was given another headache when Reece James tweaked a hamstring last week. James, who started England’s first two games in Group L, missed last Saturday’s win over Panama, is unavailable against the DRC and is increasingly unlikely to be back for a possible last-16 tie against either Mexico or Ecuador in Mexico City the following Sunday.

Tuchel replaced James with Quansah against Panama but the Bayer Leverkusen defender’s World Cup debut was cut short when he twisted an ankle during the second half. The 23-year-old was replaced by Djed Spence and is a major doubt to play against the DRC. Tuchel was optimistic about Quansah’s chances of recovering but sources believe the last 32 could come too soon.

With Quansah and James expected to be out it is likely Spence will start. Tuchel likes the versatile Tottenham defender and used him in all three games as England topped their group with seven points. The alternative would be to shift Ezri Konsa to right-back and start John Stones next to Marc Guéhi in central defence.

Stones played only five times for Manchester City during the second half of last season and has not featured England since their 4-2 win over Croatia in their first game.

Tuchel, asked whether Stones would be ready to start against the DRC, said: “Yeah, for sure. Why not? He was even in consideration to start [against Panama] but then it would have been the third change in the central defence in the third match, and I thought I’d stick with the pair because I saw them good against Ghana – and I saw them good against Panama.”

Tuchel is convinced Jude Bellingham has fully bought into his approach and can continue to make the difference at the World Cup. Bellingham starred in the 2-0 victory over Panama, settling England’s nerves by scoring the opening goal – his second of the tournament – before providing the assist for Harry Kane. The Real Madrid midfielder, who won his 51st cap, did not start in several of England’s qualifying matches and Tuchel warned before the tournament that he would have to fight for a place.

Bellingham played in a slightly deeper role on Saturday as Morgan Rogers started in the same England side as his childhood friend for the third time under Tuchel. Bellingham stole the show and the England head coach said he was not surprised the 22-year-old had stepped up when required.

“I’m not sure if it’s a reaction but it is what we want from him,” Tuchel said. “He was very positive from the first day in camp. He buys fully into all the things we demand as a team player, and then he brings his own individual quality to decide football games. That’s what you see in World Cups now, and what you see from other teams and other big players. We have it in him and he’s a key player … So well done until now. He needs to keep going.”

England have returned to their base in Kansas City to prepare for the meeting with the DRC. Marcus Rashford should retain his place in attack after a positive performance on the left. Tuchel refused to be drawn on whether he now knew his best team and believes that being able to adapt will hold the key for England.

“I know my starting 15,” he said. “And from there I build and I see the energy on the training pitch and I see what the output is from match to match. Then we see what the opponent brings and how we need to react. But I see good performances and detail out there against very physical opponents, and I think we will find solutions when they are needed.”

He added: “With a new stage of the tournament, it starts new again. It’s knockout football. It brings its very own tension, its very own dynamics. We’ll prepare for that and be ready for it.”