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The latest England team news, injury updates and predicted line-up ahead of the World Cup semi-final showdown with Argentina.
England have reached the World Cup semi-finals for the fourth time in their history – but reigning champions Argentina still stand between the Three Lions and Sunday’s final, and Thomas Tuchel’s preparations have been hit by worries over injury and illness.
Declan Rice and Nico O’Reilly were both substituted during the 2-1 extra-time win over Norway due to issues which could threaten their involvement against Argentina, while Bukayo Saka is among the players carrying fitness problems through the tournament. Tuchel may be forced into changing his starting line-up.
With kick-off fast approaching, we’ve collected all of the latest England team news and injury updates below, along with our prediction for Tuchel’s starting XI.
Declan Rice & Nico O’Reilly among England injury concerns
Thomas Tuchel will hope to be able to partner Declan Rice & Elliot Anderson in midfielder - but a sickness bug could rule Rice outplaceholder image
Thomas Tuchel will hope to be able to partner Declan Rice & Elliot Anderson in midfielder - but a sickness bug could rule Rice out | Getty Images
The single biggest worry ahead of the match against Argentina is whether Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice will be available. The 27-year-old has been suffering with illness since the last 16 win over Mexico, and while he started the quarter-final against Norway he had to be substituted at half-time after struggling.
It was revealed after the quarter-final that Rice had been bedridden for three days with a sickness bug in the build-up, and the result was a noticeably diminished performance – but since Sunday’s match, he has returned to full training and The Metro report that he is now sufficiently healthy to start the semi-final.
That claim is somewhat contradicted, however, by BBC Sport, who suggest that Rice has still not fully recovered, and that England will make a “late call” on Rice’s condition in the build-up to the match. Complicating the matter further is the fact that the player has admitted that he has been handling neural pain in his hamstring since the Christmas period.
Another potential doubt is first-choice left-back Nico O’Reilly, who was withdrawn in the second half against Norway after suffering a minor hamstring strain. The Manchester City man is believed to be making good progress in training, however, and appears to be likely to start once more.
Will Bukayo Saka start against Argentina?
Bukayo Saka has played in every match at the World Cup but has started just two gamesplaceholder image
Bukayo Saka has played in every match at the World Cup but has started just two games | Getty Images
The other big selection decision comes on the right wing, where Tuchel must decide between handing another start to Noni Madueke, who struggled to make an impact against Norway, or bringing Bukayo Saka back into the line-up despite his continued battle for full fitness.
Saka has played a reduced role during the World Cup due to a lingering issue with his Achilles heel, but played a full part in training on Monday and may get the nod over his club team-mate given the importance of the match.
Elsewhere, Marc Guéhi and Reece James are believed to have made a full recovery from the hamstring injuries which troubled them ahead of the quarter-final and the only other player expected to miss out through injury is midfielder Jordan Henderson, who broke his wrist celebrating England’s win over Mexico. The Brentford man may still play some role in the final few days of the tournament, but is unlikely to be involved against Argentina.
The only player set to miss out through suspension is reserve right-back Jarell Quansah, who will serve the second match of a two-match ban for his red card against Mexico. He will be available again for the final or third-place play-off if called upon. With yellow card expunged at the semi-final stage, none of the players who have received a booking in the knock-out rounds are in danger of suspension.
England predicted line-up vs. Argentina (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Reilly, Guéhi, Konsa, James; Rice, Anderson; Gordon, Bellingham, Saka; Kane.
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