Declan Rice is set to return to the England starting XI against DR Congo on Wednesday as he continues to manage a ‘strange’ fitness issue.
The Arsenal midfielder started the thrilling win over Croatia and the goalless dud against Ghana, but was left out of the 2-0 victory over Panama in the final group stage game.
The 27-year-old played 55 games for the Gunners last season and didn’t arrive at the World Cup in perfect condition after a gruelling campaign.
He is fit enough to play, but his neural hamstring pain remains, which he says can strike at any time.
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‘You could be sat at home and you’d feel a little pain shoot up your leg,’ he said. ‘It’s just something that is obviously a bit unusual for me because I’ve never had anything (like that) before.
‘It’s strange because you can just feel it like sitting there. It’s something I’ve just managed. I’ve tried to get my rest when I can and last season I was just prioritising games.’
There was further concern for Rice after the Ghana draw as he was seen limping and with strapping around his calf.
‘I got a dead calf in the last minute of the Ghana game,’ he explained. ‘The guy whacked me and it literally blew up for like three days, so that was just unlucky.
‘It wasn’t actually a calf problem. I’m managing myself really well. I feel good, fit and strong.’
Speaking ahead of the huge game in Atlanta, Georgia, manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed to the BBC: ‘He’s fit to start.’
Asked if he will start, Tuchel did not hide anything, saying: ‘Yeah. Of course.
‘We always miss Declan [when he doesn’t play]. He is one of the best midfielders in connecting the deeper positions with the higher positions.
‘He is a key player and super important.’
Rice is itching to get back in the team and win his 76th England cap on Wednesday, but says he is very comfortable if sitting out if that is what the team requires.
The Panama game made sense to miss, not just as he dealt with his fitness issues, but also because he was booked against Ghana and would have been suspended if he picked up another yellow card.
‘We have a squad of 26 who are unbelievable and can play,’ he said. ‘Kobbie [Mainoo] can play, Jordan [Henderson] can play. Morgan [Rogers] came in and Jude [Bellingham] played as the No8.
‘If it means that sometimes I have to miss out because we have other players who can play against a certain opposition, I’m fine with that, as long as we keep going and winning matches.
‘I obviously want to play every match, but for the good of the team. The other day — with the calf [issue and] with me being on a yellow, as if I got another one, I would have missed the next game — I don’t mind missing out the odd game just for other players to play.’