Declan Rice has started every match at the last three major tournaments for England. He has become as indispensable to his country as he has to Arsenal. But his early removal against Croatia on Wednesday and subsequent comments about a hamstring issue that he has been managing raised questions about the fitness of one of England’s most important players — and at a crucial time. Rice, 27, was replaced after 72 minutes with England leading 3-2 in their opening World Cup group game, which they won 4-2.Tuchel described the decision as precautionary after Rice felt discomfort around his upper hamstring and lower back. But as former England defender and pundit Gary Neville summarised: “You don’t rest Declan Rice.”Rice later revealed he has been managing “neural pain” during the second half of the season, including through Arsenal’s Premier League title win and run to the Champions League final.Get free access to the most comprehensive World Cup coverage in The Athletic appSo what is neural pain, can he continue to play through it and might it affect his performance?What did Rice say?“I’m ready and fit, raring to go,” Rice told ITV Sport, in an interview broadcast on Saturday. “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.“Obviously, not a lot of people would have known that. It was all behind-the-scenes stuff, but it was a smart decision.”Rice said the closing stages of matches are when the physical cost can become greatest and explained why Tuchel made the decision to take him off in Dallas. Rice insisted, however, that he is fit to face Ghana on Tuesday.“You play a 70-minute match, but that last 20 is where you really feel your body going for it,” he said.