Sources: Rice (broken toe) doubt for Chelsea clash

Arsenal are weighing up whether Declan Rice can play through the pain after tests revealed he had a broken toe, sources have told ESPN.

Rice sustained the injury in Arsenal’s Premier League defeat at Newcastle last weekend and subsequently missed their midweek 1-0 Champions League loss at Inter Milan.

Mikel Arteta’s side travel to Chelsea on Sunday and a source has told ESPN that Rice is hopeful of being able to manage the issue and start at Stamford Bridge in a game of huge significance to Arsenal.

The north London side are seven points behind leaders Liverpool and five adrift of defending champions Manchester City. Another defeat — which would be their fourth in seven games across all competitions — would be a damaging blow to their title hopes.

Rice has also been named in Lee Carsley’s latest England squad for upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Greece and Republic of Ireland.

It remains to be seen whether Rice actually joins up with the group at St George’s Park but the source told ESPN that the 25-year-old is keen to continue representing club and country if his body allows.