England’s Declan Rice (L) and Jarrod Bowen react after the UEFA Euro 2024 Group C football match between Denmark and England at the Frankfurt Arena in Frankfurt am Main on June 20, 2024. (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images)
In Trippier’s case, the defender has been managing a slight calf issue, raising fears that Rice might also have an injury problem.
But Law reports that Rice is believed to have simply been given a rest day. The expectation is that he’ll be fit to start against Slovakia on Sunday.
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY: England player Declan Rice in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Denmark and England at Frankfurt Arena on June 20, 2024. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Despite England’s struggles in the group stage, they’ve been handed a favourable run to the final in this year’s tournament.
Just two goals and one win was enough to earn England top spot in Group C, and they’ll face third-place Group E side Slovakia on Sunday, June 30th at 17:00 BST.
Should they win, England will play Switzerland or Italy in the quarter-finals, then Romania, the Netherlands, Austria, or Turkey in the semi-finals.
Some of the competition’s top teams, including Spain, Germany, Portugal, France, and Belgium, are on the other side of the draw. As a result, England can only meet them in the final.
Euro 2024 knockout bracket
Rice and Bukayo Saka have started every game for Gareth Southgate’s England side so far, and it’s likely they’ll keep their places for the knockouts if they can remain fit.