Midfielder Declan Rice was not part of England’s training session today (Wednesday), as Gareth Southgate’s side prepare to face France in Saturday’s quarter-final.
According to The Athletic, Rice’s absence from the latest World Cup session was due to illness, meaning he joins Callum Wilson on the sidelines, with the Newcastle man still recovering from a minor strain that kept him out of Monday’s session.
Raheem Sterling, who was forced to fly back to England after an armed break-in at his family home, is still away from the squad, with no news on his potential return.
West Ham midfielder Rice has started each of England’s four World Cup games in Qatar, and has only missed around half an hour of football after being rested late on against Wales on matchday three.
Rice’s partnership with Bellingham, combined with the unexpected contributions of veteran Jordan Henderson, has been pivotal in England’s prolific tournament form, meaning any lengthy absence would be a sore miss for Gareth Southgate’s side.
England have scored 12 goals in four matches at this year’s World Cup – the Three Lions’ joint-most at a single major tournament (World Cup and Euros), level with their 12 goals at the 2018 World Cup.
Both he and England will be hoping Wednesday’s absence is just a minor one, as Southgate’s side face their toughest test yet against the holders France in Saturday’s quarter-final.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
