Declan Rice will not start at right back for England against Mexico on Sunday.
There have been calls for Thomas Tuchel to use the Arsenal midfielder in the problem position for the last-16 tie.
Rice was moved there during Wednesday’s game against DR Congo with England trailing 1-0 in the 71st minute.
Come full-time they had won 2-1 and the vice-captain impressed in the role, despite succumbing to hamstring pain in the closing stages.
Despite excelling there against DR Congo, Declan Rice will not start at right back in Mexico
Thomas Tuchel is confident that Rice will be fit for the game at Azteca Stadium, but we understand he is not giving serious thought to deploying him in defence.
Djed Spence will likely continue at right back if Reece James and Jarell Quansah fail to prove their fitness.
Rice has been managing longstanding hamstring and back issues during the tournament and was rested for the final group game against Panama.
Tuchel sees the 27-year-old’s value as a midfielder as too integral to consider using him to solve problems elsewhere on the pitch.
