Rice gets international call up

Martin O’Neill has drafted West Ham teenager Declan Rice into the Republic of Ireland squad for the end of season internationals. Rice, who turned 18 in January, made his Premier League debut for the Hammers as a late substitute in last Sunday’s 2-1 win over Burnley spending four minutes on the pitch.

It was the first time that the Hammers used a teenager in the first team all season after Rice had three stints on the bench as an unused substitute.

Named Ireland Under-17 Player of the Year for 2016 last month and captain of West Ham’s U23 team who won Premier League 2 promotion to the first division, he can play in defence or midfield. Released by Chelsea as a schoolboy, he qualifies for Ireland through his grandparents. He was awarded the Dylan Tombides award in May at the West Ham Players’ awards for the best Academy player after winning the Young Hammer of the year (U18) the year before.

Academy Director Terry Westly believes Rice has a big future ahead of him.