Declan Rice’s toe was fractured during Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle United, causing Rice to miss the Champions League game against Inter Milan with Arsenal saying it was a ‘minor’ foot injury.
According to Friday’s edition of the Telegraph, Rice is hopeful of being fit for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday.
If he manages to come through that game without any issues, he plans to join Lee Carsley’s England squad for the Nations League fixtures. He has been called up along with Bukayo Saka.
Fractured toes can greatly hinder balance, mobility, and striking power. Medical experts typically advise four to six weeks of rest, but Rice’s decision to play shows his commitment and Arsenal’s need to get their season back on track.
Rice has earned a reputation for being tough, but pushing too hard now could risk more serious, long-term issues.
Arsenal will need to weigh up his eagerness to play against the risk to his overall health, especially given their demanding fixture list and the ground they already need to make up in the title race.
The Chelsea match will be a key indicator of Rice’s fitness. Should he get through unscathed, it will bode well for both Arsenal and England.
However, if there are complications, he could face a longer spell on the sidelines, which is a situation Arsenal can ill afford.
Full England squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Angel Gomes (Lille), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Forwards: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
