England Delays Declan Rice Call for Argentina Semi-Final as 78-Cap Midfielder Battles Illness

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 13

Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina will hinge on a late fitness call for Declan Rice, though England are increasingly hopeful he can start.
Rice was taken off at half-time in the 2-1 extra-time quarter-final win over Norway after a sickness bug left him bedridden for three days before the match.
The Arsenal midfielder is still recovering from the illness, picked up in Mexico, but his condition has improved markedly over the past 48 hours.
Thomas Tuchel and England's medical staff will make the final decision, with Rice also managing a longer-running neural issue affecting his lower back and hamstring.

Sources

Will England risk Declan Rice’s long-term health for a shot at World Cup glory against historic rivals Argentina?

How can a mysterious 'neural pain' threaten a star player's World Cup dream just before facing Argentina?

Is Rice's fitness crisis the inevitable cost of a grueling, title-winning season that pushed him to his physical limits?