David Moyes has confirmed that he is hoping Declan Rice will play against Sevilla in the Europa League in midweek.

The Hammers take on the Spanish side on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie.

Rice, of course, was absent from the Irons team that lost 1-0 to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

West Ham were actually brutally unlucky to lose the game, and spurned a number of glorious chances after Sadio Mane had opened the scoring for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Pablo Fornals had a golden chance to beat Alisson Becker after being sent through one-on-one but his chipped effort was cleared off the line by Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Manuel Lanzini also spooned an awful effort over the bar, and Mikey Antonio saw a big opportunity go begging when his shot was blocked by Naby Keita.

Moyes felt that Rice’s absence wasn’t too keenly felt on Merseyside, but he is hopeful he will be able to play against Sevilla.

Asked if he would be fit after his illness, he said, per Football.London: “I don’t think anybody watching would have noticed they don’t have Rice today, (Tomas) Soucek had one of his better games.”

Asked if he would play on Thursday, he added: “I would hope so.”