Declan Rice has declared himself fit and injury-free ahead of England's next World Cup game against Ghana on Tuesday. The Arsenal midfielder 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 victory.
Rice's Injury Concerns Addressed
Rice sparked fears he had suffered a setback when he was substituted with 20 minutes remaining, nursing his back and hamstring. However, the 27-year-old has given an upbeat bulletin, confirming he is ready to play. 'Yes, I'm ready,' Rice told ITV. 'I'm fit and raring to go.'
Rice explained that the substitution was a precautionary measure. 'I think it was a smart decision (to take me off). I was feeling a 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.'
Tuchel's Smart Management
Rice praised Tuchel's decision-making, noting that the final 20 minutes of a match are high-risk for injuries. '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 fitness of Rice's Arsenal teammate 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 the England squad nursing an Achilles problem which is being carefully managed.
Saka's Fitness and Impact
Asked if Saka was capable of making an impact amid fitness concerns, Rice said: '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.'
Rice added: '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.'
