Pearce gives Rice a heartfelt piece of advice

Former Hammers assistant manager Stuart Pearce has told Declan Rice to decide his international future by following his heart.

After representing the Republic of Ireland at every level from under-16 to the senior team,the Hammers star is  taking a long time making up his mind on the issue.

And Pearce – who was a major England player for years of course – is refusing to make any suggestion that may influence the teenager either way.

Instead he said: “He must follow his heart on this.”

But he added: “I do think more clarity is needed on the international stage. I don’t think players should be able to change allegiance after declaring for a nation at any level.”