Declan Rice injury update as Arsenal star looks to recover from England World Cup blow

Declan Rice has endured fitness issues during England’s World Cup campaign

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Declan Rice is available to start England’s crucial World Cup semi-final against Argentina after overcoming a bout of illness.

Lionel Messi and his side await in Atlanta on Wednesday as both nations bid to secure a berth in Sunday’s MetLife Stadium showpiece against Spain.

England booked their place in the last four with a hard-fought 2-1 extra-time triumph over Norway in Miami, where an uncharacteristically subdued Rice was hauled off at the interval.

Tuchel disclosed following the quarter-final that the Arsenal midfielder had been confined to bed for three days in the lead-up to the match, having fallen ill after the round-of-16 trip to Mexico.

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Rice has also been managing persistent hamstring discomfort since Christmas, yet he trained alongside his squad-mates at their Kansas City base before the party flew out to Georgia on Tuesday.

England manager Tuchel said upon touching down in Atlanta: “Everyone is fit to start. Everyone was in training. Except for Jarell (Quansah), who is suspended, and Jordan Henderson (everyone is available).”

When pressed on whether Rice is fully back to his best, Tuchel responded with a grin: “Well, yeah, he’s ready to start and (he is) as good recovered as possible.”

Seasoned midfielder Henderson was the sole member of the 26-man squad absent from training, having undergone surgery on his arm following a nasty fall in Mexico.

Versatile defender Quansah participated in the session but his red card at the Estadio Azteca means he will miss Wednesday’s semi-final as he completes a two-match ban.

Right-back Reece James is pushing for a starting berth after returning from a three-match lay-off with a hamstring problem, coming off the bench in the second half against Norway.