Rice gets England call-up after switching from Ireland
West Ham United youngster Declan Rice was named in the England squad yesterday for this month's European Championship qualifiers, just weeks after pledging his allegiance despite having already played for Ireland.
The 20-year-old defensive midfielder, who has made three senior appearances for Ireland, elected last month to make himself available to England manager Gareth Southgate.
His call-up comes in the same week that he was named Ireland's Young Player of the Year.
World governing body Fifa ratified Londoner Rice's switch last week as he had not played a competitive game for Ireland.
"His form warrants it," Southgate said.
FITS IN VERY WELL
"The situation has been well-publicised and we have tracked him for a quite a while. When you are asking a player to transfer allegiance, they have to feel they have a future, but also there are no guarantees. But his form has been excellent.
"His character and leadership qualities mean he fits in very well into the way that we work."
Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton has also returned to the squad for the first time since before last year's World Cup Finals.
Tottenham Hotspur duo Dele Alli and Eric Dier were also included having just returned from injury and illness.
England face the Czechs at Wembley next Friday before travelling to Podgorica to face Montenegro three days later. - REUTERS
ENGLAND
GOALKEEPERS: Butland, Pickford, Heaton
DEFENDERS: Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Maguire, Keane, Shaw, Stones, Walker, Rose, Trippier, Tarkowski
MIDFIELDERS: Alli, Dier, Henderson, Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Rice, Delph
FORWARDS: Rashford, Sancho, Kane, Wilson, Sterling
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now