Ireland boss targets Dec
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MICK McCARTHY will hold talks with Declan Rice this week in a fresh bid to persuade him to choose the Republic of Ireland over England.
West Ham’s teenage midfielder is at the centre of a tug-of-war between the two countries.
London-born Rice has three senior caps for the Republic, all in friendlies, however, so he is still able to declare his allegiance to England.
Spoilt
But new Ireland boss McCarthy aims to convince the 19-year-old that he is more likely to get the game time he is enjoying for his club with him rather than with England, where Gareth Southgate is spoilt for choice.
Speaking last month, Rice – who qualifies for the Republic via his paternal grandparents – admitted he was torn.
“Without a doubt, it is not an easy decision,” he said. “I need to make the right decision, what is best for me and my family.”
Rice was left out of Martin O’Neill’s final three squads as he pondered his future. Southgate has been in touch, prompting McCarthy to make Rice a priority. Rice added: “Martin was excellent when he came to my house and Gareth was excellent. They both understand the position that I am in. I said I just need some time.
“Being 19, I never thought I’d be in a position to make such a hard decision.”
Next up for McCarthy’s Republic side are European Championship qualifying games against Gibraltar and Georgia in March.
West Ham are unlikely to re-open contract talks with Rice until the summer.
He is under contract with the Hammers until 2020 but was offered a triple-your-money £15,000-a-week deal in October, with performance-related bonuses that could have brought his salary up to £40,000 a week.
But no agreement has been reached so far.
Meanwhile, West
Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini fears Marko Arnautovic could be sidelined until the New Year with a hamstring injury.
The striker limped off after 40 minutes of Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Cardiff.
Arnautovic said: “I’ll be out for a while but do everything to come back strong and quick.”