One of the few bright lights in Irish football at the moment West Ham's Declan Rice, and despite the 19-year-old's inauspicious start to the season (he was hooked at half time in the Hammers opening day loss to Liverpool), the youngster is still seen an key player in Ireland's up and coming Nations League and Euro 2020 campaigns.
Such is his potential, Martin O'Neill is reportedly going to meet with Rice in order to make sure the player will declare for Ireland and play in their upcoming Nations League fixture against Wales in early September.
According to The Irish Mirror, O'Neill will meet sit down with the London born midfielder over the weekend to make sure he will commit to Ireland amid interest from Gareth Southgate:
I’ll speak to him over the weekend and I’d hope that he knows that this Wales games is you committed. That’s the point he’ll have to take into deep consideration.
England are looking at his situation so nothing is certain until it’s across the line.
Though this might send out warning signs to Ireland fans O'Neill reassured supporters that he was just being ultra cautious over Rice.
Rice has appeared for Ireland at underage level and has made three appearances at senior level, but will still be eligible to play for England until he makes his first competitive appearance for Ireland.
