Declan Rice is expected to be available to start England's World Cup last-32 tie with DR Congo on Wednesday, as Thomas Tuchel navigates a deepening injury crisis at right-back. The Arsenal midfielder was rested for the 2-0 win over Panama after taking a heavy blow to the calf in the goalless draw with Ghana, but he returned for the team's final training session before travelling to New Jersey. Tuchel is optimistic Rice will line up in Atlanta, where England face a DR Congo side that qualified for the knockout stages for the first time in their history by beating Uzbekistan 3-1.
That win, their first ever at a World Cup, was sparked by a brace from Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa, who levelled from the penalty spot after Eldor Shomurodov's early lob had put Uzbekistan ahead. Fiston Mayele then sent the mainly Congolese crowd into a frenzy before Wissa added a third in stoppage time. “We’ll start work immediately on preparing,” said DR Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre. “We’ve got a few players in the squad who play at clubs in the English league, so they will help us.”
“Declan Rice is set to return for England's World Cup knockout clash against DR Congo amid a right-back injury crisis.”
But England have problems of their own. Chelsea right-back Reece James missed the Panama game with a hamstring injury sustained against Ghana, and while Tuchel is not ruling him out for Wednesday, his return is expected later in the tournament. Jarell Quansah, who deputised at right-back against Panama, is a major doubt with an ankle injury. Tuchel admitted it will be “very tight” for the Bayer Leverkusen player to prove his fitness. With Tino Livramento already out with a calf issue, Djed Spence replaced Quansah against Panama and appears likely to start, though Tuchel could use centre-back Ezri Konsa at right-back.
DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba, the Lille defender with 112 caps, warned England his team will be ready. “We know full well that we will be up against a top team,” he said. “We know all about the qualities of the next opponent. We need to recover well, but we will keep working hard to be ready.” Desabre’s squad had to travel to Belgium for their pre-World Cup training camp due to an Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, before arriving in North America via Paris. “It was all about sacrifice,” Desabre said. “And we continue to have belief in our ability.”
For England, Rice’s return is a boost after Tuchel started Elliot Anderson and Jude Bellingham in midfield against Panama. The German manager’s biggest injury concerns remain James and Quansah, but he will hope to navigate the last-32 hurdle before his squad regains full strength.