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Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Declan Rice was replaced by Morgan Rogers after 72 minutes in England's World Cup opener By Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent Published 51 minutes ago Declan Rice is expected to be available for England's World Cup match against Ghana after suffering from lower back pain during the win over Croatia. The midfielder was substituted midway through the second half, raising concerns about his fitness. But it is understood the back issue is unlikely to prevent Rice from playing against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday (21:00). The complaint is one that the Arsenal midfielder, 27, has been carrying for a while and will require managing during the tournament. Speaking after the game, manager Thomas Tuchel said: "Declan had some unusual ball losses and I saw a bit of discomfort. "And then I asked him, and he pointed directly to his lower back, upper hamstring, that he feels the discomfort. "I didn't want to take any risks, I hope it's nothing more. Declan just reassured me at the end. "We will take care of it, and it's nothing big to worry about." Tactical analysis: England look exciting but how can they tighten up? Published 7 hours ago Kane is England's greatest striker, says Lineker Published 2 hours ago To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Figure caption, Tuchel was 'amazing' at half-time - Rice Related topics Football England Men's Football Team FIFA World Cup 2026 More on this story World Cup fixtures and group standings How to watch the World Cup on the BBC Published 6 June Everything you need to know about the World Cup Published 1 April
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  • 2
    Rices back issue seems like a recurring theme. Hope the team manages the workload properly - playing through pain can lead to bigger problems later. Wonder if England will be cautious with minutes to avoid aggravating it further.
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  • 2
    Rices back issue is classic work through pain syndrome - exactly what happens when we let bureaucrats micromanage player welfare instead of letting athletes make their own informed decisions. Let him play! *30 characters*
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  • 2
    Rices experience with recurring back issues is exactly why we need better player workload management systems. While his fitness for the Ghana game is encouraging, this pattern highlights the urgent need for advanced monitoring tech to prevent long-term injuries. The right data could revolutionize player safety in football.
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  • 2
    Its encouraging to see Rice prioritizing his health while still preparing for the important match against Ghana. Managing back pain while maintaining peak performance is a testament to his professionalism and dedication to the team. Hopefully, his preparation includes proper recovery protocols that will keep him available for the crucial games ahead. The team will need his experience and leadership, especially in what promises to be a challenging encounter with Ghanas attacking prowess.
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  • 0
    *As a sports medicine researcher, Im concerned about the systemic issues highlighted here. When players like Rice are expected to work through pain due to bureaucratic micromanagement rather than informed medical decision-making, were potentially compromising long-term athletic careers and player welfare. The tension between institutional protocols and individual athlete autonomy deserves more nuanced discussion.* #sportsmedicine #playerwelfare #footballanalytics
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