ENGLAND CALL FOR IRELAND’S YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR!
DECLAN RICE looks certain to be handed first England call-up today — just 24 hours after being named Republic of Ireland’s young player of the year.
The West Ham star’s decision to switch to the country of his birth was ratified by FIFA last week and England manager Gareth Southgate is set to include Rice in his squad at the first opportunity.
And the call-up coincides with the 20-year- old being named Ireland’s young player of the year yesterday — despite no longer representing them.
An FAI statement read: ‘At the time of the vote, Declan Rice was an Ireland international and qualified for the Young Player category in a year that saw him win three senior caps, all in international friendlies.
‘ This award maintains the integrity of the voting process in conjunction with the Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland.’
The FAI confirmed that Rice will not attend Sunday’s awards ceremony.
Elsewhere, Jordan Pickford is likely to retain the No 1 jersey for the forthcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro.
Sportsmail understands there are concerns from within the England set-up over his recent erratic form and temperament, after a string of high- profile errors for Everton.
However, it is believed Southgate will stick with Pickford for the forthcoming fixtures.
Southgate will recall Burnley keeper Tom Heaton to his squad today following his return from long- term injury. He will be No 2 behind Pickford. Stoke’s Jack Butland is likely to pip Southampton’s Alex McCarthy, who has lost his place to Angus Gunn in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s starting XI, to the third spot.
The lack of serious competition for Pickford’s place is an issue the England boss is keen to address. Butland had been widely recognised as Pickford’s closest competitor, but the fact he is playing in the Championship has seen him fall down the pecking order.
Southgate has high hopes for Saints keeper Gunn, but is ready to resist the temptation to select him in today’s squad so the keeper can remain with Aidy Boothroyd’s Under 21s.
The Southampton goalkeeper is said to have accepted his pathway into Southgate’s set-up and declared his commitment to England despite Scotland’s public attempts to poach him from under the FA’s noses.
Gunn’s club team-mate James Ward-Prowse is hoping for a senior recall after a brilliant run of six goals in 10 games for the Saints. Jesse Lingard’s hamstring injury could open the door for Ward-Prowse.
Kieran Trippier is a doubt with a gluteal injury, but Southgate’s recent decision to revert to a back four from a back three may negate the necessity to have three right backs in the squad.
In this case Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka may have to wait for his first call-up.
Dele Alli is expected to be available despite only returning from a hamstring injury last weekend, but John Stones has a niggling fitness issue.