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Declan Rice is expected to be available to start England’s World Cup last-32 tie with DR Congo on Wednesday.<\/b><\/p>\n
The key midfielder was rested for the 2-0 win over Panama<\/a> after taking a heavy blow to the calf in the goalless draw with Ghana<\/a> last Tuesday.<\/p>\n Rice, 27, was unable to complete the full training schedule before the win over Panama, although he did return in time for the team’s final session before travelling to New Jersey.<\/p>\n In Rice’s absence, Thomas Tuchel started with a midfield of Elliot Anderson and Jude Bellingham.<\/p>\n But the England manager is optimistic that the Arsenal midfielder will be available to return to the starting XI for the knockout match against DR Congo in Atlanta.<\/p>\n England manager Tuchel’s biggest injury concerns heading into the knockout rounds are Reece James and Jarell Quansah.<\/p>\n Chelsea full-back James missed the win over Panama after sustaining a hamstring injury against Ghana.<\/p>\n While Tuchel is not ruling out James for the DR Congo game, it is understood the right-back’s return to action is likely to come later in the tournament.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n