Gareth Southgate Makes Final Decision on Reece James' World Cup Ambitions

• Reece James has failed to recover sufficiently in time for the final 26-man England squad for the World Cup
• England manager Gareth Southgate has reportedly told the defender he will not be part of the squad
• Southgate is set to name his final squad for the World Cup on Thursday, November 10

Reece James has been brutally told by England manager Gareth Southgate that he will not be part of the England squad going to the World Cup.

The wingback sustained a knee injury last month while playing for Chelsea against AC Milan, and despite making strides in his recovery, he has been deemed not fit enough to make the squad.

Gareth Southgate, according to The Athletic, reached out to James with the disappointing news on Tuesday, October 8.

After discussions between the two, it was decided that the Chelsea star has not recovered sufficiently and would have to sit out the global spectacle.

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This comes after James flew to Dubai to engage in intense rehabilitation to try to speed up his recovery ahead of the tournament.

Sky Sports reports the wingback also engaged in tentative running, back at Chelsea’s Cobahm training grounds to try to test out his injured knee.

The England manager also faces another injury headache at right back, with Kyle Walker also struggling for fitness.

Sources close to Reece James’ say the family is devastated, but understands Southgate’s unwillingness to risk the wingback in the World Cup.

Bayern Munich update on Sadio Mane injury

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported on Bayern Munich's update on Sadio Mane’s injury ahead of the World Cup.

The Senegal star was forced off after just twenty minutes of the game following a knock to his shin.

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Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann explained the player would undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury.

"He got hit on the head of the shin. This is an awkward spot. It has to be X-rayed to clarify it," said the coach as quoted by Bayern Munich's official website.