Need to know
The England full-back has been seen sporting a face mask during the World Cup
Djed Spence
Djed Spence has been forced to wear a mask whilst playing at the World Cup(Image: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
All you need to know about why Djed Spence is wearing a face mask against Norway
Distinctive headgear: England defender Djed Spence will once again don his distinctive protective face mask when the Three Lions face Norway in their crucial World Cup quarter-final this Saturday evening. The 25-year-old has been compelled to wear the custom-moulded carbon-fibre covering throughout the entire tournament in North America.
Serious jaw fracture: The Tottenham Hotspur full-back is currently recovering from a painful broken jaw he sustained during a Premier League match back in May. He suffered the significant facial trauma following a "crazy" collision with a stray elbow from Chelsea striker Liam Delap.
Lengthy recovery time: Medical experts initially estimated that the severe fracture would take approximately three months to completely heal. Because of this extended recovery window, Spence had no choice but to rely on the specialised mask to safely participate in England's summer campaign.
Playing through pain: Despite the immense discomfort, the resilient defender previously showcased his incredible toughness by playing through the pain barrier. He even featured for Spurs just five days after the initial injury to help them secure a vital victory over Everton and guarantee top-flight survival.
Adapting to conditions: Spence has candidly admitted that wearing the heavy gear in the sweltering heat is far from ideal. However, he has worked tirelessly to break it in during training sessions and has successfully adapted to playing with it across the tournament.
Lighthearted perspective: The versatile full-back has maintained a surprisingly positive attitude about his difficult medical situation. He famously brushed off the injury before the competition began, jokingly stating: "Luckily I play football with my feet and not my jaw."
Managerial trust: England boss Thomas Tuchel has shown immense faith in the masked defender following a highly challenging domestic season. Spence has already featured heavily in the group stages and came on in the recent knockout victory over Mexico, proving his worth to the national squad.
Crucial Norway clash: He will now be hoping his protective gear holds up against a highly physical Norwegian side this weekend. With injuries previously impacting England's defensive depth, Spence is widely expected to play a major role in Saturday evening's highly anticipated quarter-final showdown.
England's 2026 World Cup kits
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