Declan Rice Injury Update Ahead of World Cup Match Against Ghana

Thomas Tuchel expects Declan Rice to be ready for England’s next World Cup test against Ghana, despite the midfielder being withdrawn during the 4-2 win over Croatia with what was described as “discomfort”.

Rice, who had been at the heart of England’s impressive opening victory, came off in the second half after Tuchel spotted something was wrong.

“Declan had some unusual ball losses and I saw a bit of discomfort,” the England manager explained. “I asked him, and he pointed directly to his lower back, upper hamstring, that he feels the discomfort.

“I didn’t want to take any risk, so I decided to take Declan off, which I never wanted to do, but it was the moment to protect him, and I think Reece James did so well to replace him in the central midfield.

“[Rice] had a fantastic game, so I hope it’s nothing more, and he just reassured me at the end that it’s good and he knows the discomfort. We will take care of it, and this is nothing big to worry about.”

The concern inside the stadium when Rice signalled to the bench was real. He is the pivot, the balance point in Tuchel’s system, and England’s control of games at this tournament will lean heavily on his presence.

Rice, though, cut a relaxed figure afterwards. No strapping, no limp, no hint of alarm in his voice.

“All good, good as gold,” he said, playing down the issue. “Just what I’ve been nursing, probably, in the second half of the season at Arsenal, little neural pains here and there.

“But yeah, I’m all good, I’m all fine, just precaution and I’ll be back out there again against Ghana.”

England have their statement win on the board. The next question is whether their midfield general can stay on the pitch long enough to turn a strong start into a serious tilt at the World Cup.