Declan Rice reveals ‘obscene’ reason he is battling injury pain as Thomas Tuchel told to avoid England risk

Declan Rice has opened up on battling nerve pain in his hamstring since December ahead of England’s World Cup clash with Ghana.

The Arsenal midfielder sparked concern after he was spotted limping following his second half withdrawal in last week’s opening Group L win over Croatia.

Rice has revealed he has been nursing a secret injury all yearGetty

Rice subsequently played down his knock post-match, insisting he will be fine to feature against the Black Stars in Boston on Tuesday – live on talkSPORT.

Speaking to ITV Sport ahead of England’s second game in North America, Rice, who assisted Harry Kane’s second goal in the 4-2 victory against Croatia, has declared an ‘obscene’ fixture list has led him to manage a secret injury.

The former West Ham skipper played 55 matches for the Gunners in the 2025/26 season across all competitions as he helped his side win a first Premier League title in 22 years – while also finishing as a runner-up in both the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

What has Declan Rice said about his niggle?

Commenting on Thomas Tuchel‘s decision to take him off in the 72nd minute, Rice said: “I’m ready and fit, raring to go.

“I was feeling a little bit of neural pain in my hamstring, which I was managing from after Christmas with Arsenal for a very long time.

“Obviously, not a lot of people would have known that, it was all behind-the-scenes stuff, but it was a smart decision.

“In the end, that last 20 minutes is probably where you pick up the most, and it’s where you play a 70‑minute match.

“But that last 20 is where you really feel your body going for it, and I think it was a smart decision because the last few days I felt really, really good.”

Before adding: “It’s an obscene amount of games, the schedule was crazy, but what can we do about it? You can’t sit and complain.

“We have to just get on with it for the moments like I had winning that Premier League.

Rice has deemed himself as fit to start against Croatia – despite limping off in England’s opening Group L winGetty Rice was given the lowest score in Adrian Durham’s England player ratings last time out

“You’d play as many games as possible to have that ­feeling again and knowing that there’s a World Cup at the end of it as well.

“You know, you’d put your body on the line to be always in to play, it’s a lot of games, but we’ll get our break at the end.”

Victory for England over Ghana will ensure their passage into the knockout stages, while even a draw will likely be enough to secure a spot in the last-32.

Tuch and go

For ex-Three Lions international Gabby Agbonlahor, he has stressed that Rice – and other England stars nursing any injuries – should be rested to keep themselves fresh for the latter stages of the tournament.

Speaking on the talkSPORT World Cup breakfast the ex-Aston Villa forward said: “We get the result against Ghana on Tuesday and then don’t play a lot of these players [against Panama].

After co-host Andy Goldstein stressed those carrying knocks shouldn’t play against Ghana, Agbonlahor then stated: “I know, but any niggles against Panama, no-one’s playing.

Three Lions boss Tuchel has been urged to rest Rice against Ghana on TuesdayAFP

“You’ve got a long time to rest and get your treatment and be fine for the knockout games, it’s about managing players this tournament, it’s a long one.

“There’ll be so many teams that are like, ‘OK, you’re not going to play this game, you’re going to rest, [Bukayo] Saka, you’re not involved in this game.’

“When it matters, [play them in] the knockout stage, because we’re comfortably going to win the group.”

Interjecting, Goldstein then remarked: “I’d like to think we’ve got enough to not have to play Declan Rice against Ghana.”

It was a view shared by Agbonlahor, who simply stated: “Agreed, 100 per cent, I would rest him.”

World Cup WhatsApp

Don't miss an update from talkSPORT in our dedicated World Cup WhatsApp channel.

Search for ‘talkSPORT World Cup’ in your ‘Updates’ tab on WhatsApp and we’ll drop the proper, unfiltered football chat straight to your lock screen—no fluff, just pure talkSPORT energy.

It’s where you’ll find out all the new rules to watch out for, England and Scotland reaction and big match player ratings.

Plus there will be loads of debates on the biggest talking points as Haaland, Mbappe, Kane and the biggest names in football descend on America, Canada and Mexico.