Rice misses England training after reporting unwell
England given World Cup scare as Declan Rice misses training due to illness while Callum Wilson is also absent following a minor strain as Gareth Southgate’s side prepare for their quarter-final with France
- England now have anxious wait to see if Declan Rice can recover for the match
- The midfielder has started all four games for the Three Lions at the finals
- Callum Wilson may also miss out as he recovers from a minor strain
- England stars trained ahead of their quarter-final with the world champions
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
England have suffered a scare in the build-up to their World Cup quarter-final against France on Saturday after key midfielder Declan Rice missed training on Wednesday due to illness.
The midfielder has been crucial to the Three Lions midfield during the campaign in Qatar but was absent from the team’s training session, making him a slight doubt ahead of the clash.
It is unclear over how this will affect the West Ham midfielder’s availability heading into the last eight encounter though.
Declan Rice (left) and Callum Wilson both missed England training on Wednesday in Qatar
England players train ahead of their World Cup quarter-final with France on Saturday
Rice has started all four of England’s matches in Qatar but was the major absentee at the Al Wakrah Sports Complex.
England could also be without Callum Wilson who was absent through a minor strain that he is recovering from.
Wilson has largely been used as a back-up to Kane at the finals and has been a second half substitute in group stage wins over Iran and Wales.
With the exception of Rice and Wilson all remaining 22 of England’s players trained
Kyle Walker looks on during the session held at the Al Wakrah Sports Complex
Phil Foden will be hoping to retain his spot in the starting XI having broken into the team
But the rest of the current 22-man squad trained without issue as Gareth Southgate’s side continue their preparation for a meeting with the world champions this weekend.
The England manager is already without forward Raheem Sterling and defender Ben White who have returned home for respective personal reasons.
England’s stars looked to be in high spirits at their training complex as they target reaching back-to-back semi-finals at the World Cup for the first-time ever.
England stars are looking to reach back-to-back semi-finals for the first time ever
Harry Maguire appears in a relaxed and cheerful mood as he trains along with team-mates
Manager Gareth Southgate will have his work cut out trying to stop world champions France
The likes of Harry Kane and Kyle Walker appeared relaxed ahead of what is to be their toughest game of the tournament so far against Didier Deschamps’ men at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
There is much hype around the quarter-final with tickets for the encounter selling for more than 28 times face value at around £10,000, with nearly 10,000 English fans looking to attend the match.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has no fear over facing France, insisting his side should be relishing the biggest tests, stating a victory over the reigning champions would be ‘massive’ as they have several ‘top players’.
He added: ‘We know it’s going to be a tough game. But it’s World Cup football. You’ve got to relish these moments. You’ve got to take every chance you get. You might not get another chance to beat France.’
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