Declan Rice suffers broken toe but still plans to play for Arsenal and England after being named in Lee Carsley’s squad

DECLAN RICE is ready to play through the pain barrier for Arsenal and England with a BROKEN TOE.

The Gunners midfielder suffered the injury during the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park last weekend – still managing to complete the full 90 minutes.

Rex

Declan Rice suffered the injury against Newcastle last Saturday[/caption]

Reuters

The Gunners lost 1-0 at Inter Milan in Rice’s absence last night[/caption]

He then stayed home for the side’s mid-week Champions League trip – losing 1-0 to Inter Milan – with boss Mikel Arteta admitting the player was struggling to put his boot on.

But SunSport understands that Rice, 25, WILL be able to start against Chelsea on Sunday before joining up with the Lee Carsley’s England camp 24 hours later.

The Three Lions face Greece on November 14 and the Republic of Ireland on November 17 in the upcoming Nations League internationals.

And should Rice come through the trip to Stamford Bridge unscathed, he will be in contention to start both outings for his country.

Rice has started all but one of Arsenal’s Prem fixtures so far this term, his only absence coming via a suspension after getting sent off against Brighton on August 31.

And he has missed a total of three games in all competitions – rested for the Carabao Cup fourth round trip to Preston on October 30 before sitting out of the Inter trip.

And when he does start, Rice usually completes the entire 90 minutes – subbed off in just one of his last 10 games in all competitions for Arsenal.

Rice also played the entirety of England’s September wins over Republic of Ireland and Finland, as well as last month’s 2-1 loss to Greece before featuring for 85 minutes in the 3-1 win away in Finland on October 13.

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Arteta will be desperate to have Rice involved with Arsenal currently on a poor run of form that has seen them drop to fifth in the Prem – seven points off leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal’s woeful early-season injury record appears to be clearing up, with skipper Martin Odegaard expected to return against Chelsea after a near-three month spell out with ankle ligament issues.

Mikel Merino should also shake off a knock that forced him off at half time at the San Siro having been PUNCHED in the head by Inter keeper Yann Sommer in the first half.

Merino, 28, conceded the crucial penalty against Inter, being penalised for handball on the stroke of half-time.