Declan Rice reveals he has played through hamstring nerve pain for six months

• Midfielder says schedule ‘obscene’ for club and country

• But adds he is ‘ready and fit’ for England game v Ghana

Declan Rice has revealed he has been managing nerve pain in a hamstring since Christmas as he reflected on the “obscene” amount of matches he has played this season.

The England midfielder sparked concern when he was forced off in the 72nd minute of the 4-2 World Cup win over Croatia last Wednesday. The problem relates to the upper hamstring with the pain radiating into his lower back. But Rice described his substitution as “smart” and said he was fighting fit for England’s second group game against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday.

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