World Cup digest: Declan Rice hails 'top level' England squad

Declan Rice admits England manager Gareth Southgate has a selection headache ahead of their World Cup round of 16 clash against Senegal.

Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden appear to be competing for the two wide attacking berths either side of Harry Kane and all scored in the group stage.

"What is so good about our group here is we are all so supportive of each other," said West Ham skipper Rice.

"There is probably a selection headache for the manager but whoever he picks, I know everyone will be rooting for each other. It is a real team effort now."

Given two of the quartet are likely to be on the bench at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday night, Rice believes England have one of the most competitive squads in the finals.

"I think it is top level," he said. "It is always nice to know you can bring players off the bench who can instantly change a game, we have got world-class players who can come on and throughout a World Cup you need that quality."

Southgate had come in for flak earlier in the year after England were relegated from the Nations League having failed to record a win against Italy, Hungary or Germany.

"The Nations League was tough in the summer," added Rice.

"We came in having not won in six and there was lots of pressure on the Iran game but we dealt with that. "We are building really well, we are in a really nice position and as the step up in quality starts to arrive we will be ready."

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