Declan Rice injury update after England beat DR Congo to reach World Cup last 16

Declan Rice was forced off with a hamstring injury in England’s comeback win against DR Congo (Shutterstock)

Declan Rice

has played down the severity of his hamstring injury after

England

came from behind to beat DR Congo at the

World Cup

on Wednesday.

England were staring down the barrel of an exit at the round-of-32 stage after

Brian Cipenga’s goal in the seventh minute put DR Congo in front

.

However,

Harry Kane

came to England’s rescue as his two goals in the second half sealed a 2-1 win

to set up a last-16 tie against Mexico

Rice, meanwhile, was shifted to right-back in the second half before he was forced off with a hamstring problem in the closing stages.

The Arsenal midfielder was seen holding a large pack of ice on his left hamstring on the bench

and has been managing the ongoing issue since Christmas

However, speaking after England’s win, Rice insisted that he will recover for England’s next match against Mexico, which kicks off at 1am BST on Monday morning.

‘I’m fine. Good as gold. Good,’ Rice told

BBC

Five Live.

Declan Rice was seen icing his left hamstring on England’s bench (Shutterstock)

‘It’s what happens when you play in 30 degree heat I suppose. Tough game. Give it everything and bodies been through a lot in that match. Time to recover and go again.

‘It was probably the hardest 12 minutes of the game having a stint at right back.

‘In games like that it was probably too much of a basketball match at times, back and forth, and we had to take the sting out of it because they have fast wingers.

‘I think we made more hard work of it than we needed to.

‘I have played there two or three times this season, I know the role, it is probably not my biggest strength but to do anything for the team and the manager.

’12 minutes left I said I would do my best and I think I did well there. Let’s see what happens next game but hopefully I don’t have to be at right back.’

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