DECLAN RICE has returned to England training just 48 hours before their huge World Cup quarter-final against France.
The West Ham skipper, 23, did not train with the rest of Gareth Southgate’s squad on Wednesday due to illness.
GettyDeclan Rice is a key part of Gareth Southgate’s starting line-up[/caption]
That raised alarm bells for Three Lions supporters as they look ahead to their mammoth game with France this weekend.
But Kalvin Phillips, who would be one of the first players in line to replace Rice should he be unavailable, was quick to reassure England fans.
Speaking in a press conference on Thursday, he said: “I believe Dec is fit, he’s back in training and he’s fine.
“If something goes wrong, then I’ll be there and I’ll do my best to be fit for 90 minutes.
“I want to play as many minutes as possible.”
Rice has started all four of England’s games in Qatar, making the position at the base of Southgate‘s midfield his own.
Since making his international debut in 2019, he has racked up 38 caps for his country.
For the opening two matches of the World Cup against Iran and USA, Rice played as the holder in a three that also consisted of Jude Bellingham and Mason Mount.
But for the Wales match, Southgate switched Mount out for Jordan Henderson.
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And England have subsequently looked superbly balanced in the middle of the park, sticking with that trio for the convincing win over Senegal.
Rice’s return to training is not the only boost the England manager received on Thursday.
It was also confirmed Raheem Sterling will re-join the squad on Friday after having to fly home following a burglary at his home.
The biggest concern for the Three Lions remains France talisman Kylian Mbappe who has five goals in three games at this World Cup – two more than any other player.
Yet Phillips has total faith in England right-back Kyle Walker – who will be tasked with trying to stop the Paris Saint-Germain superstar.
Asked about the battle, Walker’s Manchester City team-mate Phillips said: “Kyle is the quickest player I’ve ever seen play football.
“A lot of people ask how fast he is, but you cant really put it into words.
“You just have to see him out on the training pitch or in one-on-ones with a really good player and we’ll see that in a few days.
“Obviously we know Kylian Mbappe is a good player and one of the top players over the past few years.
“But we’re just focused on what we’ve got to do, and focused on how we can stop not just stop Mbappe, but Giroud, Griezmann etc.
“If there’s anyone I’d like to put up against Mbappe to stop him, it’s Kyle Walker.
“He’s an unbelievable defender and probably the only one that’s quicker than him.”