Declan Rice has declared himself fit and injury-free ahead of England’s next World Cup game against Ghana on Tuesday.
The Arsenal star put in a commanding display in the Three Lions’ opening Group L win over Croatia as Thomas Tuchel’s side began their campaign with an emphatic 4-2 win.
Rice, however, sparked fears he had suffered a setback when he was substituted with 20 minutes remaining, nursing his back and hamstring.
England are back in action in little over 48 hours’ time but it appears likely that their midfield powerhouse will feature after he gave an upbeat bulletin in which he also praised his manager’s decision making.
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‘Yes, I’m ready,’ Rice told ITV, when asked if he was in contention to play against Ghana, ‘I’m fit and raring to go.
‘I think it was a smart decision (to take me off). I was feeling al little bit of neural pain in my hamstring which I was managing after Christmas with Arsenal for a very long time.
‘Obviously, not a lot of people would’ve known, it was all behind the scenes stuff.
It was a smart decision. The last 20 minutes is where you probably pick up most injuries.
‘That last 20 minutes is where you really feel your body going through it. The last few days I’ve felt really, really good.’
England also have concerns over the durability and availability of Rice’s Arsenal teammate of Bukayo Saka.
The 24-year-old made an impact off the bench against Croatia, creating the chance from which Marcus Rashford made the game safe in the closing stages.
Saka joined up with the England squad nursing an Achilles problem which is being carefully managed.
Asked if Saka was capable of making an impact at this tournament amid concerns about his fitness, Rice added: ‘One hundred per cent, yes.
‘It’s been really good the way we’ve been managing him. The amount of football he’s played, I’ve seen him at Arsenal with this Achilles problem he’s got I think we’re managing him the right way.
‘You don’t want to put him in straight away now and put him at risk.
‘He’s training really well, he came on the other night and had an amazing impact.
‘He’s one of the biggest game players I’ve played with and he wants to play every game but here he’s been smart and we’ve also got Noni who’s been unbelievable in these first few games.’