Declan Rice set to be fit to face France after England star returns to training for World Cup 2022 clash

Declan Rice has returned to training following a bout of illness, to raise hopes he will be fit to start for England against France in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Having sat out the session on Wednesday, the West Ham midfielder’s participation on the weekend was in doubt.

However, Gareth Southgate has been handed a fitness boost with Rice’s return along with the imminent arrival of Raheem Sterling from his family visit to London following an armed robbery on his home. Callum Wilson also trained after the Newcastle forward suffered a recent minor strain.

England’s Kalvin Phillips said on Thursday he feels ready to step in should Rice be unavailable, but he added that he expects his teammate to start versus France.

“Yes [I am ready],” he told reporters.

“But I believe Dec is fit anyway. He was back in training today and he felt fine, so if all goes well then Dec will be fit.

“If not, I’d do my best to complete the 90 minutes obviously.”

England are set to have a full squad available on Saturday night, aside from Ben White who has left the World Cup camp for personal reasons.