West Ham United might have a potential injury concern over Declan Rice ahead of Saturday’s huge clash against Tottenham Hotspur.
Rice started and played the entirety of England’s 4-0 win over Kosovo on Sunday evening.
The young West Ham midfielder was once again harshly rounded on by critics after the game.
Despite a solid all round performance from England and a comfortable victory, the focus before, during and after the match was on Rice.
Forget the media witch hunt, could Declan be injured?
It is fast becoming something of a media witch hunt of the Hammers hero.
But what will have been a bigger concern for West Ham fans and manager Manuel Pellegrini was Rice seeming to pick up a knock late on in the game.
Rice appeared to jar his knee as it got stuck in the turf when he stretched to retain possession in the 86th minute.
And the 20-year-old was seen walking and jogging gingerly for the remainder of the game.
At one point Rice tried to sprint but checked himself. And he was spotted on his haunches a couple of times before the final whistle.
Gareth Southgate had just made his third and final substitution moments before.
Hammers fans away Rice’s Rush Green return with baited breath
It is not known whether the knock was anything significant.
And it is certainly not known whether it will impact his chances of playing against Spurs.
But it will no less be a concern.
Without Rice West Ham could be forced to play ageing flop Carlos Sanchez in the holding midfield role.
Anyone but Sanchez
Tottenham may not be firing on all cylinders themselves at the moment.
But supporters will be filled with dread at the prospect of seeing their midfield up against Sanchez.
It comes with Manuel Lanzini ruled out for two months and captain Mark Noble facing a race against time to be fit.
West Ham fans will be keeping everything crossed this week that Rice returns to Rush Green with no ill effects from the knock.
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