Chelsea fullback Reece James believes he will be fit AFTER the start of the World Cup.

James is recovering from a knee injury and Gareth Southgate names a 26-man squad for the World Cup in just 48 hours.

James is refusing to give up on his dream of joining them in Qatar and has spoken to specialists who believe he could be ready to play by the end of the month, says The Sun.

England face Wales in their third and final Group B game on November 29 and are hopeful of progressing to the first knockout round and beyond.

Fullback James, 22, was in blistering form for Chelsea prior to getting hurt and was Southgate's first-choice right-back for the tournament.

The England head coach must now decide whether to take a huge gamble and include James in the tour party heading to the desert.