Rice happy to help out but hopes right-back role is a one-off | OneFootball

Declan Rice admits he would prefer not to have to play right-back again for England.

The Arsenal midfielder moved to right-back for the closing stages of England’s win over DR Congo in the round of 32, where he impressed.

But Rice admits it is a challenging role for him.

“It was probably the hardest 12 minutes of the game having a stint at right-back,” Rice told BBC Sport.

“In games like that it was probably too much of a basketball match at times, back and forth, and we had to take the sting out of it because they have fast wingers. I think we made more hard work of it than we needed to.

“I have played there two or three times this season, I know the role, it is probably not my biggest strength, but to do anything for the team and the manager.

“[With] 12 minutes left I said I would do my best and I think I did well there. Let’s see what happens next game, but hopefully I don’t have to be at right back.”

England boss Thomas Tuchel has been dealt a dilemma at right-back, with Reece James and Jarell Quansah both currently out injured, while Tino Livramento pulled out of the World Cup squad before the tournament started because of a calf injury.

Djed Spence started in the role for England’s win over DR Congo, with Tuchel now weighing up his options before England take on Mexico in the round of 16.