England need just a point to guarantee their place at next summer’s finals and despite coming in for criticism over recent games the Hammers defensive midfielder still retain Gareth Southgate’s trust.
They face Montenegro at Wembley on Thursday 14 November which could also see on loan Hammer Sead Haksabanovic turning out for the visitors in what will be England’s 1,000th senior men’s international.
The trip to Kosovo follows, where England will bring their qualification campaign to a close on Sunday 17 November.
Twenty year-old Rice already has six caps for England, as he has quickly established himself in Southgate’s ranks.