West Ham's Declan Rice called up to Ireland senior squad

West Ham defender Declan Rice is the latest addition to the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of the summer's triple-header of internationals against Mexico, Uruguay and Austria.

18-year-old Rice made his senior debut for the Hammers as an injury-time substitute in their final Premier League game against Burnley on Sunday, where he briefly faced fellow debutant Kevin Long.

The London-born defender didn't have much of a chance to impact that game, which came about as a reward for his form in captaining the club's under-23 side this season.

However the esteem in which he's held at London Stadium is such that Martin O'Neill has seen fit to call him up to take a closer look during a training camp on Fota Island this week.

“Terry Westley called me and I was sat at home and just couldn’t believe it when he said Martin O’Neil had called him up to say he wants me to go to the training camp," Rice told West Ham's official website. 

"My heart was pounding and I was thinking ‘Is this true?’ Now I’m focused on that and joining up on Tuesday. I’ve just got to work hard in training and try to impress Martin O’Neil and Roy Keane.”

Rice was recently rewarded with a long-term deal at West Ham after making his debut for Noel King's Ireland under-21s at the beginning of this year.

At the time, Rice told the club's website: “I got my first call up for the U21s a couple of months ago and that was a great experience to be with a different set of lads and learn from coaches who have a different style.”

“We’ve got the Euros with the U19s coming up next month and I haven’t been with them in a while so I cannot wait to play with them again.”