Declan Rice set for second England start this week despite fitness concerns – report
Only last week, it was hit and go whether or not West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice would be ready for the Premier League season.
The Hammers sensation has been struggling with his fitness and was pictured working alone in the gym while others were out on the pitch.
Alongside this, Rice has not yet featured for the Irons in any of their pre-season friendlies before surprisingly jetting off on international duty with England.
The 21-year-old then passed a late fitness test and completed the full game as the Three Lions stumbled to a 1-0 victory in Iceland.
It would make total sense for David Moyes and West Ham for Rice to now be rested against Denmark ahead of the Premier League opener this weekend.
That isn’t going to happen though. Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett has reported that Rice will partner Kalvin Phillips against the Danes in a new formation.
After Saturday’s struggles, Gareth Southgate could be set to utilise a 3-4-3 with Rice and Phillips anchoring the midfield.
How did Rice fare against Iceland?
The midfielder passed his late fitness test, and forgetting about the dreadful miss from point-blank range in the first half, he was solid.
Rice completed 77 passes at an impressive 89.6% success rate according to WhoScored, and he won’t be alone in that role on Tuesday though.
Phillips will be sharing that load, and it will take a lot of pressure off Rice’s shoulders to play with more freedom against the Danes.
To go from no games in months, to three in one week may be too much to ask of Rice, and Moyes may be forced to play the midfielder from the bench against Newcastle – not what we wanted.
In other West Ham United news, Adrian Durham destroys this Irons duo after going public with complaints