Declan Rice has returned to England training after illness, giving Thomas Tuchel a timely boost before Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami.
Rice, Marc Guehi and Reece James were all back with the squad on Friday, and Tuchel said the headline news was simple: England had their players available again at the right time. With a knockout tie against Norway looming, that is exactly the sort of update a head coach wants.
The injury and fitness picture had looked less straightforward earlier in the week. Rice had been ill after England's last-16 win over Mexico and had been kept away from teammates, while Guehi missed Thursday's training session in Kansas City because of a hamstring issue. James, meanwhile, was continuing his return from a hamstring injury suffered against Ghana.
Tuchel gets a full choice again
Tuchel said: “We had everyone available in training. That’s the best news.”
He added: “We have the full choice except for our suspended player [Jarell Quansah].”
That matters because England are now into the stage of the tournament where selection certainty is worth as much as form. A 26-man squad can look large on paper, but in a quarter-final the manager needs his key options fit, focused and ready to start if required.
Why Rice's return matters
Rice is one of the players England can build around in a match like this. His presence helps the team control midfield, protect the defence and keep the balance right when the game becomes tense.
England have already shown they can cope with disruption, but the difference between surviving a knockout game and controlling it often comes down to whether your most reliable players are available. Rice being back in training suggests that concern has eased at exactly the right moment.
Jordan Henderson was the only squad member to miss training after breaking his wrist and arm during celebrations following Monday's last-16 win in Mexico, while Jarell Quansah remains unavailable because of suspension.
For England, though, the main story is encouraging. Rice, Guehi and James returning on Friday means Tuchel goes into Saturday's quarter-final with far more of his preferred options intact, and that can only strengthen England's chances against Norway.
