World Cup
England to assess Rice and James before Panama clash
England will evaluate the fitness of Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Chelsea defender Reece James ahead of their final World Cup group fixture against Panama. Rice limped off at Boston Stadium after the goalless draw with Ghana on Tuesday, sporting heavy strapping on his left calf. James completed the full ninety minutes against Ghana but will undergo medical checks within the next 24 hours.
Sources said there is no major concern that Rice's calf issue will affect his longer‑term involvement in the United States. The injury nevertheless requires assessment and rest before a decision on his availability for the Panama match on Saturday.
England manager Thomas Tuchel and his coaching staff must weigh the risks of fielding the 27‑year‑old midfielder. Their evaluation will determine whether Rice can be included in the squad for the Saturday game.
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Rice was also withdrawn during the earlier encounter with Croatia after experiencing nerve pain in a sore hamstring he has been managing. The hamstring problem added to the concerns surrounding his fitness heading into the final group match. Reece James will undergo a similar assessment as the team prepares for the Panama clash in New Jersey. The 26‑year‑old Chelsea captain, known for a history of injuries, will have his workload monitored closely. The Panama fixture is set to take place in New Jersey on Saturday, concluding England's group stage. Both players' statuses will be confirmed after the medical evaluations.