Thomas Tuchel reveals Declan Rice newest after England star suffers damage blow
Thomas Tuchel has given an injury update on Declan Rice and Reece James as the two stars miss the Panama match after picking up issues, with the latter potentially missing knockout stage matches
Declan Rice is benched for the Panama game(Image: Richard Pelham)
Thomas Tuchel has given an update on the fitness of Declan Rice and Reece James as both stars have been left out of the England starting line-up to face Panama.
The Three Lions have already secured qualification from Group L after beating Croatia and drawing with Ghana, but England need to win and at least match Ghana’s scoreline, if they beat Croatia, to secure top spot in the group.
But with the final group game coming against a team yet to score this tournament, Tuchel is taking no risks with Rice’s fitness after the Arsenal star struggled with knocks in both of the group games. The 27-year-old is also on a yellow card and one booking away from suspension. While James is sidelined for the match and could miss matches in the knockout stages.
Tuchel has made five changes to the team that were unable to break down Ghana, with Jarell Quansah coming in at right-back.
Elsewhere, Nico O’Reilly, Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers and Marcus Rashford also come in for Djed Spence, Noni Madueke, Rice and Anthony Gordon.
Speaking to the media before kick-off, Tuchel said: “I take care of Declan’s situation. He got a knock but is ready to play but I would like to manage his minutes.
“He has a yellow card so I want to see how this match plays out. Is it an intense match, are there a lot of duels, how is the referee with yellow cards?
“I need to get a feel for that and Decland knows that, that’s why Jude goes in the eight position and Morgan is on the 10.”
