Lauren James discovers length of Women's World Cup ban ahead of England clash with Colombia

Lauren James will be banned for two games following her red card for England against Nigeria on Monday.

It was already known the 21-year-old would be out for Saturday's blockbuster quarter-final showdown with Colombia.

And it's now been confirmed that James will miss the semi-finals, if England are able to overcome their South American opponents.

However, the Chelsea star could return for the final if England are able to go all the way at the tournament.

England will have to cope without Lauren James as they look to win the Women's World Cup

Sarina Wiegman's side will go into Saturday's showdown hoping to make the semi-finals for the third tournament in a row.

England finished fourth in 2019, though were able to secure a third-placed finish at the competition in Canada four years previously.

James' absence will be a blow, however.

The Chelsea star has been in fine form during the tournament, scoring three goals and clocking up three assists.

Wiegman, speaking after the player's dismissal against Nigeria, admitted James had been overcome by the magnitude of the occasion.

“She’s young," she told talkSPORT. "This is just a split second and she doesn’t want to harm anyone.

"It’s later on in the game, so you get a little bit tired too.

“It’s such an intense and emotional game that in a split second where you just don’t control your emotions, then things happen.

“Of course, she didn’t want to do that, but before she’d even realised it had happened.

"Very unfortunate. She will absolutely learn from it.”

England team-mate Niamh Charles has since confirmed James is in 'good spirits' despite her involvement in the rest of the tournament being in doubt.

"Obviously she's really remorseful, I think she said that in her statement," she told Sky Sports.

"Of course, as a team we've just got round her and she's put out a statement apologising.

"She's such a positive person, it's not what she's like at all. It happens, that the stakes are so high, in the next few days we'll see what happens.

"But yeah we're supporting her as much as possible.

"She's in good spirits after and hopefully moving on from it."

England have enjoyed a positive tournament so far.

They beat Haiti in their opening match, with Georgia Stanway netting the only goal of the game from the penalty spot.

England were then able to edge past Denmark, with James netting the winner in the sixth minute of that contest.

The Chelsea star was at the double as the Lionesses steamrolled China 6-1, with Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly also netting.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

England players and staff members have rallied round Lauren James following her red card against Nigeria

And England managed to get past Nigeria following a dramatic penalty shootout, with Kelly keeping her cool to blast the winner into the top corner.

The 21-year-old won't be playing on Saturday