Declan Rice Arsenal
Declan Rice Arsenal

England take on Albania on Friday and midfielder Declan Rice has pulled out of the squad due to an illness.

The defensive midfielder has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season and he would have been one of the first names on Gareth Southgate’s teamsheets. But as per the official statement, Rice has not been able to train since he’s joined the national team squad.

The statement from the FA read: “Having been unable to train due to illness since reporting to St George’s Park, the midfielder has returned to West Ham United and will play no part in the forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“No additions to the squad are planned at this moment in time. Mason Mount and Luke Shaw are still yet to link up with the group and continue to be assessed following dental surgery and concussion respectively.”

Who will replace Declan Rice in central midfield?

Declan Rice has been ever-present for West Ham United this season and he’s one of the main reasons why the Hammers have performed so well this season.

His absence will undoubtedly be a major problem for Gareth Southgate and since England have drawn two of their previous three matches, the manager needs to get his selection absolutely spot on.

Thankfully, Southgate has Jordan Henderson in the squad and the Liverpool midfield will come straight into defensive midfield, replacing Declan Rice.

But along with Declan Rice, Mason Mount is also expected to be absent meaning the England manager will be short on reinforcements against Albania.

Mount is taking time to recover from his dental surgery and it seems like Southgate will take a decision regarding him in the final hours on Friday. Kalvin Phillips has nailed down the other defensive midfielder’s spot in the side so the manager has less thing to worry about.

All in all, the illness to Declan Rice will not be too big an issue with Jordan Henderson in the squad but if Mason Mount is not fit then Gareth Southgate will only have Jude Bellingham to fall back to.

Read: 4-2-3-1 England’s predicted line up vs Albania.