What Declan Rice said at the end of England's clash against DR Congo is a huge concern

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has revealed the conversation he had with Declan Rice after the midfielder was brought off in the final stages of their World Cup win over DR Congo.

Rice, who has been managing nerve pain in his hamstring since Christmas, was left out of England's final group stage game against Panama amid fitness concerns.

A few days later, in the build-up to the round-of-32 clash against DR Congo, the 27-year-old was asked how he was feeling.

“I'm good. Genuinely, I'm good," he said. “I know there's been one [niggle] over my hamstring, which has been an issue, but that's not a problem because I'm still here training, I'm playing. I'm fine.

“I got a dead calf in the last minute of the Ghana game. The guy whacked me and it literally blew up for like three days, so that was just unlucky. It wasn't actually a calf problem. I’m managing myself really well. I feel good, fit and strong.”

He featured in Wednesday's clash in Atlanta but in the final moments, he was replaced by John Stones.

Declan Rice will benefit from a FIFA rule change vs DR Congo (Image: Getty)

Now, it has emerged that Rice was in "terrible pain" at the end of the game, according to Thomas Tuchel, who insists the midfielder will be able to carry on in the tournament despite the knock.

As per The Mirror, Tuchel said: “I asked him (Rice). He said: ‘I can do it for the team but I am in terrible pain’ and when Declan tells you he is in terrible pain then you know he cannot take it anymore."

Tuchel added: “He was grateful we took him off but he said after the game its not an issue. There is no injury I think he will recover. He was just in pain and I hope he is right. It’s more neural pain.”

Thomas Tuchel names the ‘impossible’ obstacle England must overcome in Mexico clash

Mexico awaits England in the next round, and it promises to be a difficult challenge for the Three Lions as they travel to the famous Estadio Azteca.

Of course, the stadium sits over 7,000 feet above sea level, which is one-and-a-half times higher than the summit of Ben Nevis, the UK's highest point.

Mexico are well accustomed to the thinner air, as they have played all four of their matches in Mexico at altitude. England, on the other hand, may struggle to adapt to the conditions.

“The altitude will be a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it," said Tuchel. "It just takes too much time. We have only three days in between these matches. It's physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude.

"That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have. In four days, it's just impossible. More obstacles may come, but we are ready for that. This is just something with which we will have to deal. And I think we showed the attitude that we are ready for that."