DECLAN RICE hopes Arsenal team-mate Ben White delivers a u-turn and plays for England again.
Defender White, who left England’s camp during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has turned down the chance to return to the international stage for the Three Lions.
Rice, who will captain England against Belgium on Tuesday night, told talkSPORT: “The only thing I can say is, it’s Ben’s life. It’s Ben’s decision. We can’t argue with him about what he wants to do.
“Of course, there’s always going to be people writing stuff, having their opinions about what they think.
“But at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what he thinks and at this moment in time, he obviously doesn’t want to play for England.
“When he’s on a football pitch, he will do anything to win but also I think for England as well, he can play as a centre-back and at right-back, as in inverted full-back. Now he’s a really key tool that we could have.
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“So I hope he changes his mind. Obviously, at this moment in time, he doesn’t feel like he wants that. I think that is his decision.
“I know him and Gareth spoke internally about it. So I don’t know too much of the ins and outs, but I just hope he changes his mind.”
Asked if he has tried to persuade White to play for England again, Rice added: “Well, it’s all happened since I’ve been there. Obviously we had a few days off before we came away. So I haven’t seen him.
“When I go back I’ll speak to him and see, but hopefully he does change his mind on that. Because having a player like that in the squad who’s performing well in the Premier League, it’d be a great addition to the squad.”
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Rice will captain England because Harry Kane has returned to Bayern Munich with an ankle injury.
The ex-West Ham midfielder will also earn his 50th cap at Wembley on Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile, Arsenal man White is spending the international break on holiday in Dubai with partner Milly Adams.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
