England's midfield test: Rice cleared to start with hamstring niggle

In the bright press room at St. George's Park, Declan Rice answered reporters' questions with a calm smile, confirming his readiness for England's upcoming World Cup qualifier against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday. Despite a recent hamstring niggle and a calf strain in the Ghana match, the Arsenal midfielder insisted he feels fit, strong and fully prepared.

Rice addressed his hamstring concern, saying, "I know there’s been one niggle over my hamstring, which has been an issue, but that’s not a problem because I’m still here training, I’m playing. I’m fine." He added that a "dead calf" in the final minute of the Ghana game "literally blew up for three days" but clarified it was not a calf problem.

He explained that the flare‑up stemmed from a "shock to the system" after playing the Champions League final, then enjoying a week completely off his feet before resuming training. Rice said the body needed time to readjust, which caused the pain as the season wound down.

Arsenal have three other players in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad: Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke. All four are Arsenal midfielders or forwards eligible for selection in the D.R. Congo last‑32 clash.

Tuchel is expected to manage Saka’s fitness but prefers to give the Hale End graduate at least some minutes on the pitch. Madueke is likely to fill the remaining time when Saka cannot play.

Eze is the least likely of the quartet to feature, yet he has come off the bench in each of England’s last two games, leaving open the possibility that all four Arsenal players could see action on Wednesday afternoon.

The selection underscores England’s reliance on Arsenal’s talent pool as they aim to progress in the World Cup qualifiers, while also highlighting the importance of careful injury management for key midfielders.