Declan Rice pushing for early Arsenal return as injury fears eased after gruelling World Cup

Declan Rice is already pushing to return to Arsenal for pre-season, more than a week before he is due back.The midfielder is currently on holiday after being given the mandatory three weeks off following England’s World Cup campaign.There have also been suggestions that Rice might need more rest beyond that.The 27-year-old has been managing neural pain in his hamstring since Christmas, while he also dealt with a calf issue, sickness bug and tiredness at the World Cup.During the tournament, England coach Thomas Tuchel said that Rice was playing through “unbearable discomfort”.However, Rice has been in contact with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta since the end of the World Cup and is desperate to get back to Arsenal training, easing any injury fears.“We have three different pre-seasons with different groups, but the most important thing is the attitude,” Arteta said.“When I speak to Declan Rice, he is already saying, ‘Ok, if I come this day, then I can play then’.”“That is much more powerful than the programme. We want to adapt to the context, which is different.”Rice is part of the third and final group of Arsenal players who will start their pre-season training next month.That includes his England team-mates Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, as well as the Spanish trio of Martin Zubimendi, David Raya and Mikel Merino.Read MoreRice, like the other late returners, will not be involved on Saturday when Arsenal face Girona in their first official pre-season match of the summer.The game against Real Betis in Dublin next week will also come too soon, but Rice’s comments suggest he is pushing to return on home soil.Arsenal host Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup on August 9 and then welcome Cesc Fabregas’ Como to north London three days later.If Rice hits the ground running in training, he could come straight into the side to feature in that match.