England’s coaching staff, led by Thomas Tuchel, are evaluating the physical condition of Declan Rice and Reece James prior to the final group stage fixture against Panama. Rice, 27, exited the field with a strapped left calf during Tuesday’s scoreless draw with Ghana. While initial reports suggest the injury is not expected to be a long-term setback, medical personnel must determine if he is fit enough to play this Saturday. The Arsenal midfielder has already been dealing with hamstring-related nerve pain earlier in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Reece James will also undergo medical evaluations over the coming day. Although the 26-year-old played the entirety of the match against Ghana, his extensive injury history has prompted the team to manage his workload with caution. The management team must now decide if the risks associated with starting both players outweigh the benefits for the upcoming game in New Jersey.
