Convincing Rice to opt for Republic isn’t a lost cause, maintains O’Neill
MARTIN O’Neill has still not given up hope that young West Ham star Declan Rice will declare for the Republic of Ireland.
The 19-year old has not been included in a 36-man provisional squad for the friendly against Northern Ireland and the Nations League trip to Denmark later this month.
There are reports he will opt to play for England instead after being persuaded that is where his future lies by Gareth Southgate and his staff.
However, O’Neill, who has handed Rice three caps in friendly games, is still hopeful he will get the answer he wants from the English-born player, who qualifies for the Republic through his father’s side of the family.
Asked about the suggestion the player has made his decision, O’Neill said: “That may well be the case, I don’t know. I’m in contact with the family and they said they would let us know.
“There was a story last week and a couple of weeks before that. There was a story broken that was without foundation.
“The player will have the decision. I’m not waiting every single moment. I would hope that he would come and play for us — that would be great, for the next 10 or 12 years, for him.
“But he’s got things to consider, and whatever decision he comes up with, I will abide with.”
Seamus Coleman and Robbie Brady, two of the stars of the Republic’s Euro 2016 finals campaign, did appear on the list following their respective recoveries from injury.
Everton full-back Coleman missed last month’s Nations League double-header against Denmark and Wales with a stress fracture in his foot, while Burnley midfielder Brady is two games into his comeback from a serious knee injury which sidelined him for almost 11 months.
However, defender Stephen Ward and striker Jonathan Walters will miss out due to respective knee and Achilles problems.
There is also a place for 34year old Aston Villa midfielder Glenn Whelan, who will captain the team against Northern Ireland on November 15 in what is likely to be his 85th and last appearance for his country. Provisional squad: Randolph (Middlesbrough), Doyle (Hearts), McDermott (Kristiansund), Kelleher (Liverpool), Coleman (Everton), Christie (Fulham), Doherty (Wolves), Keogh (Derby), Duffy (Brighton), Clark (Newcastle), K Long (Burnley), Dunne (Hearts), Egan, Stevens (both Sheffield United), Lenihan, D Williams (both Blackburn), Cunningham (Cardiff), Brady, Hendrick (both Burnley), Arter (Cardiff), Hourihane, Whelan (both Aston Villa), Meyler (Reading), Browne (Preston), S Williams (Millwall), Towell, Manning (both Rotherham), O’Dowda (Bristol City), McClean (Stoke), S Long, Obafemi (both Southampton), Hogan (Aston Villa), Maguire, Robinson (both Preston), O’Brien (Millwall), Curtis (Portsmouth).