England handed injury boost as Arsenal star confirms Declan Rice latest ahead of Panama clash

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·26. Juni 2026

England handed injury boost as Arsenal star confirms Declan Rice latest ahead of Panama clash

Three Lions were left sweating after midfielder was spotted limping after Ghana draw

Eberechi Eze insists his Arsenal team-mate Declan Rice is “OK” and is not carrying an injury.

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After a goalless draw with Ghana on Tuesday, the central midfielder left Boston Stadium appearing to limp and had strapping round his left calf.

Rice had said before that match that he has been dealing with “neural pain” since Christmas but that he was feeling physically “very good”.

He was brought off midway through the second half of the 4-2 win over Croatia after feeling some pain, but stayed on the pitch for the full match against Ghana.

Injury worry: Declan Rice

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Eze was asked about his Arsenal colleague on Thursday, two days out from the Three Lion’s final Group L clash with Panama, which they need to win to confirm top spot.

“Dec wants to play every game,” Eze said. “He will do whatever he can to help the team.

“When you watch him play, I don’t see that he’s carrying anything. He’s enjoying himself, having fun. I’m sure he is OK.”

Head coach Thomas Tuchel has tended to play one No10 in his England formations, but he has the option of selecting a second, such as Eze, alongside Jude Bellingham for games against defensively-minded teams like Ghana were and Panama may also prove to be.

“It's something that the manager has spoken about before, so it's definitely something that we've got,” Eze said.

The former Crystal Palace midfielder was called upon from the bench by Tuchel in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Tuesday, replacing Elliot Anderson as England chased a winner that never came.

He operated as a more advanced playmaker alongside fellow substitute Morgan Rogers, who came on for Jude Bellingham.

Rice meanwhile, played the full 90 minutes.