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Rice makes semi-final pledge

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Declan Rice insists the Hammers will leave everything on the pitch tonight when they take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final.

David Moyes’ side go to Germany well aware that they will need to turn in a titanic performance to reach the final, having lost 2-1 at the London Stadium.

Scoring just once would force extra time and potentially penalties and Rice insists that he and his team-mates are going to put everything into the game, as the Irons are just 90 minutes away from a European final.

Rice, of course, has experience of reaching a major final, having done so in the summer with England, when they were ultimately beaten by Italy on penalties.

Speaking to the club’s official website, the Hammers skipper said: “I have to be confident but I’m not overlooking Frankfurt at all because we know they’re a great side.

“We knew that when we played them in the first game as we’d watched all their games in Europe and they’re undefeated in Europe and a strong team, but of course I have to back my team and I feel we’ll be ready tomorrow night to win the game.

“We’ll be ready. We want to go to Seville. We know we’re 90 minutes from a European final so we’ll give it absolutely everything.”

Beating Frankfurt would set up a final clash against either RB Leipzig or Rangers; that tie is similarly poised, with the German side winning the first leg 1-0.

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A journalist with 10 years' experience of working on National newspapers, now chief reporter covering the club that I've loved since I was a boy. Upton Park remains the greatest football stadium ever built.