Will Declan Rice play for England tonight? Latest World Cup injury news

Declan Rice racked up 4,456 club minutes for Arsenal last season as Mikel Arteta's team became Premier League champions... just in case you'd forgotten. Well, that tally is set to substantially rise this summer, if England are going to make a deep run in America. The Three Lions commenced their World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-2 victory over Croatia in Texas. Next up, Thomas Tuchel's team will take on Ghana at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday, but will one his key figures be available?

Is Declan Rice expected to play for England this evening?

One of the first names on the team sheet, it was a surprise to see Declan Rice withdrawn in the 72nd minute against Croatia, replaced by Morgan Rogers, with Jude Bellingham temporarily dropping deeper. Well, in the days after the match the Arsenal midfielder told ITV this:

"I was feeling a little bit of neural pain in my hamstring, which I was managing from after Christmas with Arsenal for a very long time.. that last 20 is where you really feel your body going for it. "

Rice added that he thought his substitution was a "smart decision because the last few days I felt really, really good". He earlier described the number of matches players are asked to play in these days "obscene", but quickly noted "I’m ready and fit, raring to go". Thus, he is expected to keep his place in England's midfield for the clash with Ghana, before potentially being rested against Panama four days later, if they've managed to rubber stamp top spot by then.

England's midfield depth chart at the World Cup

One could argue it is Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham or others, but Declan Rice has to rank highly in the list of England's most irreplaceable player. Elliot Anderson has earned his spot in the team because he helps get the best out of Rice, with Kobbie Mainoo the Arsenal man's deputy, while Jordan Henderson is in the squad more for what he brings off the pitch, rather than on it.

In the Three Lions' opener, both Bellingham and starting left-back Nico O'Reilly moved over to fill in after Rice had come off, but neither can replicate what he can offer, can they? Thus, Tuchel will continue to carefully manage his minutes.

How Declan Rice has performed for England recently

Despite the fact he is only 27 years old, Rice now has a whopping 74 England caps to his name, This is made even more remarkable by the fact he accumulated three for the Republic of Ireland, before switching his allegiance. The midfielder has sat out just two of England's last 35 competitive internationals, playing all 690 minutes at Euro 2024, as well as 418 of 450 minutes in Qatar.

His goal against Costa Rica in Orlando a fortnight ago was Rice's seventh goal in England colours, adding a seventh assist with a trademark corner for Harry Kane in Arlington. Thus, it is not hyperbolic to say that England would not be serious World Cup contenders without him.

England team news vs Ghana

Tuchel has three choices to make ahead of Tuesday's fixture in Massachusetts. At centre-back, John Stones looked like a man who had started only one Premier League game since August, so his club mate Marc Guéhi is set to come into defence.

The other two spots up for grabs are on the wing. On the right, Bukayo Saka is still nursing an Achilles tendinitis issue, albeit he is now in full training, but Noni Madueke's impressive display at Jerry World might just see him keep his place. On the opposite side, Anthony Gordon was not quite as effective, so Marcus Rashford's late goal, set up by Saka, could see him get the nod this time.

England predicted lineup vs Ghana

• Jordan Pickford.

• Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi & Nico O'Reilly.

• Elliot Anderson & Declan Rice.

• Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham & Marcus Rashford.

• Harry Kane.

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