England manager Thomas Tuchel has played down concerns over Declan Rice's fitness after the midfielder was substituted during the 3-3 draw with the USA in Arlington. Rice went off in the 72nd minute with what appeared to be a lower back and hamstring issue, but Tuchel said the move was precautionary.
Speaking after the match, Tuchel explained: 'Declan had some unusual ball losses and I saw a bit of discomfort. Then I asked him and he pointed directly to his lower back and upper hamstring. I didn't want to take any risks. I hope it's nothing more; Declan just reassured me at the end 'it's good, it's good'.'
Rice, who has been playing through pain for much of the season with injections to aid Arsenal's title push, insisted he was fine. 'All good, good as gold,' he told ITV. 'Just what I've been nursing probably in the second half of the season, little pains here and there, but I'm all good. Just precaution and I'll be back out there against Ghana.'
The 26-year-old also praised England's second-half performance, saying: 'There was that extra spring in our step, the press, our strength, the way we went forward. All round I think it was a great performance.'
