Declan Rice is set to be available for England‘s final World Cup group game against Panama if selected by Thomas Tuchel after shrugging off injury concerns. The midfielder suffered a dead leg in the goalless draw with Ghana on Tuesday, which prompted fears that he could miss the Group L clash.
England’s failure to beat Ghana means that their progress as group winners is not guaranteed unless they beat Panama, and Tuchel will likely choose to field his strongest XI to guarantee they do not fail to secure top spot.
Rice, as one of the most important figures in the camp, would be a prime option to start. And the 26-year-old is reported to be available for selection after overcoming the problem.
According to The Sun, there was ‘never a fear’ of Rice sustaining a serious injury despite being spotted limping out of the stadium in Boston, Massachusetts. Rice has been managing a hamstring problem that has hampered him for the last six months, and was also spotted walking rather gingerly after coming off in England’s win over Croatia.
The Gunners star has been forced to play through the pain barrier during his team’s title charge and is now doing the same while playing at the World Cup for his country. He featured for the full 90 minutes in the 0-0 draw with Ghana in Boston but was later seen with strapping applied to his left leg.
Rice has also been forced to wear compression socks to reduce the burden on his hamstrings. For that reason, Tuchel could still decide to rest him with Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo in line to come into the side.
Tuchel had praised the midfielder after winning his 75th cap for his country, saying he felt privileged to be his manager: “The point where he is now is one of the very best midfielders in the world,” Tuchel said.
“You see a humble, humble footballer, humble, ready to be a team player, ready every day to give energy into the good quality into the group, and just ready to learn and learn every day. His career makes him one of the very best at the moment, so proud to be his coach.”
Marcus Rashford is also pushing to start over Anthony Gordon in New Jersey after making a difference off the bench in their two games so far. Rashford was restricted to just seven minutes off the bench against Ghana, and it has emerged he was being managed due to a tight hamstring complaint.
View 2 ImagesMarcus Rashford came off the bench against Ghana but could start against Panama(Image: Getty Images)
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But he came through unscathed and now looks set to get more game time in the upcoming tie. Along with Rice, Reece James may be taken out of the side following the news that he had been managing a tight hamstring, too.
The Chelsea star has a long history of hamstring problems, and Tuchel addressed the need to protect the right-back throughout the tournament. Djed Spence could retain his place in the side, albeit being used on the opposite side this time, having played at left-back against Ghana.
The importance of claiming top spot cannot be understated, with England currently set to face a team that finishes third in their group. Sliding down to second or even third, however, would make their path in the knockout stages much more difficult.
A win over the Central American minnows would guarantee their status as group winners. But with four points from their two games, they can still lose out to either Croatia or Ghana if they fail to take three points away from the clash.
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