It was a worried look on Declan Rice's face that caught everyone's attention during the win over Croatia - the England midfielder clutching at his lower back in apparent discomfort. Now, it seems that despite those concerns, Rice is set to be back on the pitch when England takes on Ghana in Boston, with sources close to the squad indicating he'll be fit and raring to go.
The issue, it appears, is nothing new for Rice - a pre-existing condition that he's been managing behind the scenes. And while it requires careful handling going forward, it's not expected to keep him out of action anytime soon. England fans can breathe a collective sigh of relief as news of Rice's potential return spreads like wildfire.
Manager Thomas Tuchel was quick to address the situation after the Croatia match, revealing that he'd spotted Rice's discomfort on more than one occasion during the game. "Declan had some unusual ball losses and I saw a bit of discomfort," Tuchel explained. "And then I asked him, and he pointed directly to his lower back, upper hamstring, that he feels the discomfort."
Tuchel went on to reassure fans that while Rice was removed from the pitch as a precaution, it's not thought to be anything too serious - a timely intervention from the manager that will come as music to England supporters' ears.
Now, with Rice set to return for the crunch clash against Ghana, the Three Lions can focus on building momentum in their World Cup campaign. The midfielder's presence will be crucial as England looks to replicate its strong start and continue to push for victory - his defensive prowess and ability to control the tempo of the game from deep will be instrumental in dictating the outcome.