Thomas Tuchel issues worrying England injury update after Panama World Cup win

The defender had only been handed a starting role after Reece James missed the match with a hamstring problem, while Tino Livramento had already been ruled out of the tournament earlier this month.

Quansah's injury now threatens to leave Tuchel desperately short of specialist options ahead of Wednesday's last-32 clash against DR Congo.

The Bayer Leverkusen defender's afternoon came to an abrupt end after a challenge from Panama's Jose Luis Rodriguez, with the 22-year-old unable to continue before being replaced after 64 minutes.

Speaking after the match, Tuchel admitted Quansah was in significant discomfort but stopped short of ruling him out of England's next fixture.

"Classic ankle twist," Tuchel said. "He is in pain.

"He said he had it before and it is a matter of days. He has his leg up high and in ice."

The England manager now faces an anxious wait over the fitness of both Quansah and James, whose own recovery from a hamstring injury remains uncertain.

James had been expected to compete for the starting berth throughout the tournament before injury struck, while Livramento's withdrawal on the eve of the competition had already disrupted Tuchel's defensive plans.

With two recognised right-backs sidelined, Tuchel turned to Quansah against Panama despite the defender spending much of his career as a centre-half.

England do still have Tottenham's Djed Spence available, although he has also been used as cover on the opposite flank during the tournament.

Ezri Konsa is another player capable of filling in at right-back, but Tuchel has preferred to use the Aston Villa defender in central defence, while Trevoh Chalobah was drafted into the squad following Livramento's withdrawal.

The growing injury list means Tuchel could yet be forced into another defensive reshuffle just as England enter the knockout stages.

The German admitted losing another player in the same position was far from ideal but insisted his squad would adapt if required.

"Naturally of course we have another injury in the position," he said.

"It will be a tight race for Reece James and a tight race for Jarell Quansah but it is our job to find solutions and we will do."

Meanwhile, the England boss is aware that performances must improve if 60 years of hurt are to finally end.

When quizzed on whether England might be better in knockout games, he said: "I think so.

"The first match was almost like a knockout football match, the intensity in the second half.

"The tension suddenly grew in the match against Croatia. And today when you see the result, you are suddenly in a moment you are second in the group because Croatia scored [against Ghana], it also brings out this feeling.

"It is good to see these moments. We can trust and rely on our players, they are used to these moments.

"They play Champions League until the very end, they play Europa League until the very end. They normally face this. They have strong belief.

"We know what we need to get better and we will get better. There's no problem in putting the work in and growing into a tournament like this with difficult opponents to overcome. It is important now we keep believing, keep focusing on what we can influence.

"Every game will be a different game. There are so many styles and cultures of football. The most important thing is to not be afraid, be brave, courageous and go step by step. and we are ready for that."