Rice loss won’t stop Noble

MARK NOBLE says losing Declan Rice to injury is massive for West Ham – because he is one of the best players in the world.

But the Hammers skipper claims his side can still achieve something special after they continued their march towards Europe by beating Wolves on Monday without the England ace (inset), who is out for four weeks with a knee issue.

And Noble is demanding more from his team-mates against Leicester this weekend after key man Michail Antonio was injured at Molineux. He said: “Mikey was a big loss for us after we lost Dec in the week, which was obviously a kick in the teeth for us. “Not only is he one of the best players in the country at the minute in his position, but probably in the world. “I think he’s that good and we need to get him back as quickly as possible.

“It’s up to us to train this week like we have done and play a fantastic Leicester side, they are a really good team.

“We played well against them away this season and we need to play the same like that again and take our form to them.”

With West Ham fourth in the table, Noble, who confirmed last month that next season will be his last as a Hammers player, insists he has never been easier to live with.

He said: “My dad says to me, ‘I’ve never seen you so happy!’.

“We need to keep pushing and see where we can come.

“Let’s hope we can create something special.”