Declan Rice says hamstring nerve pain has not ruled him out for Ghana

Declan Rice says he is available for England’s next World Cup match against Ghana after coming off during the 4-2 win over Croatia. The midfielder has disclosed that he has been dealing with nerve pain connected to his upper hamstring for several months, but framed the substitution as a precaution rather than a setback.

The issue, which Rice said can affect his lower back, adds context to the workload he has carried across club and country. He has played 63 matches this season, including 55 for Arsenal and eight for England, during a campaign in which Arsenal won the Premier League and reached both the Champions League and Carabao Cup finals.

England’s staff are also balancing fitness management with tournament conditions. The squad began heat-acclimatisation work in Florida earlier in June, and Rice indicated the players have been told they are physically prepared for the North American climate, even if heat and humidity may shape parts of matches.

Bukayo Saka’s condition remains another selection storyline after his recent Achilles management, though he made an impact as a substitute against Croatia by creating England’s fourth goal. For England, the early tournament question is how far they can push key players who are available, but not necessarily free of physical concerns.