Declan Rice is out to make up for his 'average' showings at the World Cup by guiding England to victory in Madrid for Sunday's Nations League decider against Spain

Declan Rice has admitted he had “an average World Cup” by his own standards.

The midfielder went into the tournament with major fitness issues on the back of a gruelling season when he helped Arsenal win the Premier League title but ended up playing 69 games for club and country. His marathon year left him exhausted and in need of a break but also somewhat frustrated because he clearly felt he was not at his best even though England reached the semi-finals in the summer.

But Rice, who will win his 82nd cap against Spain, clearly feels there is unfinished business for him in an England shirt and he is determined to put that right.

England midfielder Rice, 27, said: “I think by my standards it was an average World Cup. I think some games I played well in, I applied myself well and did what I needed to do in terms of my standards and my level.

“France was probably my best game, DR Congo I played really well, some of the other games I didn't play too well but it's one of those things, you reflect and look back at it - a 69-game season at the end of a title-winning season, a Champions League loss into a World Cup.

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“It's annoying because at the World Cup you want to be totally at your best, you want to be fresh, you want to be ready. It's annoying that I couldn't perform how I did at Arsenal at the back end of the season.

“But knowing I'm not going to be at my best, you give 100 percent for the badge. I loved it, I enjoyed it. Congo was probably one of my best games, having to go right-back for the last 15-20 minutes was out of the ordinary but I applied myself in the right way.

“The France game like I say, we had the disappointment of the Argentina game, the second game against Ghana - it's games you look back on and think 'Could I have done better?'

“But that's football. I'm now at an age where I've realised sometimes you're going to play well, sometimes you're not. I'm ready for the next set of games and to apply myself in the right way.”

Rice says a well earned rest in the summer has helped him but he also missed last month’s England camp and the first encounter with Spain after Thomas Tuchel agreed he should sit it out.

“I had an honest conversation with the boss who was really understanding,” said Rice. “I still feel like I am building up to being a 100 per cent. But I feel like I am closer to that than what I was a few weeks ago, for sure.

“I think in coming up to 82 caps, I've probably missed three camps in my time with England over an eight, nine-year period now.

“So, I know the importance of playing for England, I know the importance of showing up, being available. It's one of the biggest things to me as well.

“Like Harry Kane speaks about, playing for England is one of the biggest things. You never know when that's going to end, so every time you're here you cannot take that for granted.

“It's one of them things that I'm now here, I'm playing, we had a really good World Cup, we're having a really good Nations League campaign. The lads are young, the lads are fresh. It's something you want to be a part of going forward.”

Rice acknowledged that Spain - the current world and European champions - are the barometer by which everyone else is judged. They are on the back of a 43 game unbeaten run.

The Arsenal midfielder sat out the Spain game at Wembley but watched on from the stands. He believes Spain’s success is built on strong defensive foundations.

Rice said: “It was weird. Weird, watching it as a fan, in a way. I went to the first one with my son which was an unbelievable experience, just me and him. And as for the other games, you obviously watch on the TV.

“Knowing what the lads are trying to build and how the manager works, performances were excellent. When you are watching those games as a fan, you have been around the set-up and you know you want to get straight back in. I am happy I am back in, to be honest with you.

“I'm extremely lucky to play with the back four I'm playing with at Arsenal. If you look at Spain's statistics at the World Cup in conceding goals I think they were the best in defending. Defence wins you titles. Obviously the attack, the flair wins you games.

“Everyone talks about the attacking talent Spain has but look at their centre-backs and how well they play, their full-backs, their midfield helps out their defence. They're one of the best in the world at the minute. You have to credit them for that.”