Declan Rice expected to declare for the Republic of Ireland

West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice is expected to declare for the Republic of Ireland after taking some time out of international football to deliberate upon his future.

Rice last played for Ireland during the summer friendlies against France and the United States but withdrew from the recent Nations League games citing a desire to focus on his club football as well some time away to think. Rice said that he would be happy to meet new Ireland manager Mick McCarthy after the former Ipswich Town boss took over from Martin O'Neill last month and those talks appear to have convinced him to commit his future to Ireland with Emmet Malone of The Irish Times reporting that a declaration from the player is believed to be imminent. Meanwhile England manager Gareth Southgate reiterated last month that Rice is a player that the FA are monitoring after bringing him out to St. George's Park for a visit.

"It’s a subject that’s being discussed," Southgate said. "He’s a very good player. We’ve allowed him time to make his decision. We appreciate it’s a difficult one to make and we’ve given him time and space."

Rice has been capped three times by the Republic of Ireland but has yet to play a competitive fixture for the country which means that he is still eligible to represent his native England. The 19-year-old said that he had conversed with O'Neill, Southgate and now McCarthy and added that it would be one of the hardest decisions of his career.

“I have said to Martin and Gareth I just need some time," he said in an interview with the Times. “I need to make the right decision, what it best for me and for my family. Being 19, I never thought I would be in a position to make such a hard decision. "Without a doubt it is not an easy decision. It is one of the hardest I will have to make in my career. Martin was excellent when he came to my house and Gareth was excellent and they both understand the position I am in. I said I just need some time."