A final call on Declan Rice’s availability to feature in the World Cup semi-final against Argentina will be made closer to kick-off.
Nevertheless, there is still confidence that the Arsenal midfielder will overcome the lingering effects of an illness in time to take the field on Wednesday.
Rice, who was dealing with a stomach virus ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final triumph over Norway in Miami, was taken off at the interval.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel later acknowledged that the player had been confined to bed for three days prior to the match, which England secured 2-1 after extra time.
It is believed Rice has yet to make a full recovery from the illness — contracted in Mexico, where England defeated the co-hosts 3-2 in the round of 16 — but his condition has seen significant improvement across the last two days.
At this stage, there is mounting belief that he will be sufficiently fit to start in Atlanta.
Rice is almost certain to declare himself ready for the semi-final considering the magnitude of the event.
However, given the seriousness of the sickness, England’s medical staff are poised to make a late judgment on his participation.
Tuchel will monitor how quickly his condition continues to progress before reaching a definitive conclusion on whether to select him.
Alongside his recuperation from the stomach virus, Rice has also been managing a nerve issue for several months, which affects his lower back and hamstring.
The midfielder, who holds 78 international caps, has been in the starting lineup for all but one of England’s World Cup fixtures so far, sitting out the 2-0 group-stage victory over Panama due to an aggravation of that injury.
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