Saka return, Rice worry – Latest England World Cup injury news | Football | Sport
England midfielder Declan Rice was seen sporting heavy strapping on his calf and limping after their goalless draw with Ghana on Tuesday night. The Three Lions star has been managing multiple fitness concerns throughout the campaign, including calf-related issues. The 27 year old completed the full 90 minutes of the stalemate against the Black Stars, but questions over his long-term availability have emerged as he continues to play through discomfort.
Rice was observed with substantial strapping on his left calf and moving awkwardly through the mixed zone, raising doubts about his participation against Panama. Rice’s fitness was carefully monitored ahead of the group opener against Croatia, but Thomas Tuchel had limited scope for rotation as the Three Lions struggled to secure a point in Group L.
“I was feeling a little bit of neural pain in my hamstring, which I was managing from after Christmas with Arsenal for a very long time,” Rice said previously. “Obviously, not a lot of people would have known that. It was all behind-the-scenes stuff but it was a smart decision.
“In the end, that last 20 minutes is probably where you pick up the most, and it’s where you play a 70‑minute match. But that last 20 is where you really feel your body going for it. And I think it was a smart decision because the last few days I felt really, really good.”
England sit top of the group on goal difference, with Ghana level on points following their victory over Panama in the opening fixture of the tournament. Croatia got off the mark courtesy of Ante Budimir’s second-half strike, which proved sufficient to see off the FIFA-ranked 34th nation in the world.
New Jersey will host England’s concluding group stage encounter against Panama, with the knockout rounds beginning to take shape as the Three Lions appear set for a round of 32 clash on July 1. At present, they are set to face minnows DR Congo, who sit on one point following their draw with Spain – though that could yet change before the group stage concludes. England are set to take on the third-placed side from either Group E, H, I, J or K, though this is contingent on them topping their group.
Rice’s Arsenal colleague Bukayo Saka has similarly been managing an injury after an Achilles complaint troubled the winger during the closing stages of the Gunners’ Premier League title challenge. While the forward battled through the problem, both England and the top-flight champions exercised caution regarding his game time. Consequently, he has been compelled to begin each of England’s opening two World Cup fixtures on the substitutes’ bench.
Saka trained alongside the first-team squad during the Ghana preparations, and the 24-year-old is now presenting Tuchel with a selection dilemma after his pair of substitute appearances so far in the tournament.
