Why England should be fearful of Colombia? Head coach Jose Pekerman has a good track record at World Cups and Radamel Falcao has found form

England cannot expect to have it easy when they take on Colombia on Tuesday

Colombia's main concern, however, is over the fitness of James Rodriguez

But England should be fearful of a side that is well organised by Jose Pekerman

His tactics and Radamel Falcao returning to form could be devastating

Published: 17:58 EDT, 30 June 2018 | Updated: 18:07 EDT, 30 June 2018

Colombia's headache concerns the fitness of James Rodriguez, Golden Boot winner at the 2014 World Cup, who came into this tournament nursing a calf strain and broke down in the first half against Senegal on Thursday.

His impact in Brazil four years ago earned him a move to Real Madrid, followed by a loan to Bayern Munich where he never found consistent good form.

With the pressure on and results going awry in qualifying, James sparked a storm when he made a middle-finger gesture at the media after a defeat against Bolivia.

Former Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao has found his form at the World Cup

James has experience, flair and talismanic presence, all key to the national team. If he is not fit, Mateus Uribe is a capable replacement.

Head coach: Jose Pekerman

The former taxi driver, a 68-year-old tactician with Ukrainian ancestry, was in charge of his native Argentina at the 2006 World Cup. That ended in unruly scenes when a mass skirmish involving players and staff of both teams followed a defeat on penalties in a quarter-final against Germany.

In charge of Colombia since 2012, he got them to the finals two years later, for the first time since 1998. In 2014, Colombia beat Uruguay in the last 16 before losing 2-1 to hosts Brazil in the last eight, which was their best ever performance in the finals.

Head coach Jose Pekerman took Colombia to the last-eight at the previous World Cup

The four key men

Juan Quintero (25) - Playmaker for Porto who ended last season on loan at River Plate. Deadly from set pieces with his sweet left foot. Two assists and a goal — a free-kick under the wall v Japan — in this World Cup and very important if James is not fit.

Yerry Mina (23) - Barcelona centre-half who has scored twice for Colombia in group games. Ahead of the Senegal game, Pekerman said: 'He is going to be one of the great central defenders in the world. He has enormous potential.'

Radamel Falcao (32) - Despite two awful years on loan at Manchester United and Chelsea, Falcao's class is not questioned. As an explosive young striker at Porto and Atletico Madrid, he terrorised defenders, including Chelsea's Gary Cahill in the 2012 UEFA Super Cup. Less mobile now, he has recaptured some of the potency which deserted him after injury four years ago.

Carlos Sanchez (32) - The Aston Villa flop was sent off early in the opener against Japan. Immediately recalled after his ban because he is vital to Colombia's balance. One of two unsung holding midfielders, likely to play alongside Abel Aguilar if he has recovered from injury.

Juan Quintero will be very important for Colombia if James Rodriguez isn't fit enough to play

The tactics

Radamel Falcao is back, but the team has progressed little in four years. James and Juan Cuadrado, so effective in 2014, have suffered with upheaval at club level but remain central to the plan. Cuadrado's pace provides an outlet on the right, where he combines well with right-back Santiago Arias, while James probes from the left.

The central defenders are quick and athletic with enormous potential, although they have limited experience.

In goal, David Ospina has not had regular football since moving to Arsenal and never seems to be too far from making a mistake.

England should create chances but must be wary because Colombia can hit their groove on a good day and be very, very good, cheered on by an estimated 22,000 fans in Russia.