Rice issues positive fitness update after pain reveal | OneFootball

England midfielder Declan Rice has confirmed he is feeling positive about his fitness after revealing his pain struggles of late.

It was revealed on Sunday that Rice has been suffering from neural hamstring pain, something he has been managing for months as he helped Arsenal claim their first league title in 22 years.

Now, with England, the 27-year-old believes he is in a good condition for the rest of the World Cup ahead of their second group stage match against Ghana.

“My body has been conditioned and built for these moments, for playing long seasons, Rice said. “I’d probably say this season has probably been more mentally tougher than physically, just because the emotions of a football player is crazy.

“I think at this moment in time, I’m in a mentally very good space, and physically I feel really good as well. So I want to keep taking this into the end of the tournament.”

Rice also stated that England can take on and beat any side in the world after impressing against Croatia in their Group L opener.

“We know as players the level, we know what’s required, and that second-half performance was probably the benchmark for us in terms of having to start the game at that level.

“We believe that if we can do that from the opening minute, with the players that we also have to come on and finish the game, we can beat any opponent in the world.

“We want to be confident in our abilities and what we can do on the pitch.”