Rice absence
News of Declan Rice's absence broke early on Saturday morning with West Ham fans hopeful it was a false rumour doing the rounds. Unfortunately, it turned out to be true with the midfielder feeling unwell from Thursday onwards and unable to train at the back end of the week.
The midfielder underwent a late medical assessment on Saturday with a view to a private flight to Liverpool if he was deemed fit to play but the illness prevented him from making the trip. With Sevilla away in the Europa League last-16 on Thursday no risks were taken with Rice and the England man now faces a race to recover in time for the first-leg.
