Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has declared himself fit for the rest of England’s World Cup campaign.
Rice sat out England’s final Group match with Panama and has endured a calf injury, back problems and hamstring issues which has even seen him wear special compression socks. It has cast doubt over one of England’s most important players but Rice insists there is no issue and he will be ready for the last 32 tie with DR Congo and the knock-out stages.
Rice said: “I'm good, genuinely, I'm good. I know there's been one niggle over my hamstring, which has been an issue, but that's not a problem because I'm still here training, I'm playing. I'm fine. I got a dead calf in the last minute of the Ghana game. The guy whacked me and it literally blew up for like 3 days, so that was just unlucky. It wasn't actually a calf problem.
“But I’m managing myself really well. I feel good, fit and strong. It's the World Cup and missing out the other day isn’t a problem. We have a squad of 26 who are unbelievable and can play.
