England have named West Ham United captain Declan Rice in their squad to face Malta and North Macedonia in qualification matches for the 2024 European Championships.
The Three Lions head to Malta on Friday, June 16 before facing North Macedonia at Wembley Stadium three days later.
Rice, who has 41 caps for his country, and has played in 14 of his country’s last 15 matches is perhaps no surprise to be included in the squad, but the matches do come just days after the Hammers ’ Europa Conference League final with Fiorentina in Prague on Wednesday, June 7.
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Rice will have just nine days between matches for club and country as West Ham chase a first major trophy in 43 years, but with England currently attempting to qualify for next year’s European Championships in Germany.
While Rice has been included, West Ham and Manchester City players have not be named in the England Under-21s squad for a training camp ahead of the Under-21s European Championships in Romania and Georgia.
Hammers right-back Ben Johnson has not be included, with City and the Hammers both in European finals next month.
England’s Group C campaign in the tournament begins on Thursday, June 22, with the Young Lions in a group alongside Czech Republic, Germany and Israel. The full squad for the tournament will be named on Wednesday, June 14.
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