Declan Rice agrees to meet new Ireland manager Mick McCarthy

West Ham United defender Declan Rice has said that he will meet with new Republic of Ireland manager to discuss his international future.

Rice is currently taking some time out from international football to deliberate upon his future with Ireland and England both showing an interest in the player. McCarthy said last week that he's already made contact with Rice's father Séan and that the two shared a good conversation. The former Ipswich Town manager said that he was hopeful of retaining Rice, who has played three times for Ireland in non-competitive fixtures, and Rice said that he will meet with McCarthy but that he's 100% focused on just playing well for West Ham at present.

"Mick has spoken to my dad and he wants to meet us, which I said was fine," Rice told The Daily Mail after the Hammers 3-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.

"There are a lot of things going on with my football at the moment. I’m playing week in, week out and obviously there’s my contract situation, which is a lot to take on at a young age.

"The England- Ireland situation is a lot to take on. I’m just focused on playing for West Ham and I said that to Martin O’Neill when he was Ireland boss and he totally understood."

Meanwhile England manager Gareth Southgate has reiterated that Rice is a player that the FA are monitoring after bringing him out to St. George's Park last month for a visit.

"It’s a subject that’s being discussed," Southgate said. "He’s a very good player. We’ve allowed him time to make his decision. We appreciate it’s a difficult one to make and we’ve given him time and space."