Mark Noble is backing Declan Rice to recover from last week's disappointment at Liverpool.
The Irish international was replaced by Manuel Pellegrini just 45 minutes into his first Premier League start of the season as a defensive midfielder after enduring a difficult half against last season's Champions League finalists.However Noble has spoken to reassure his teenage team mate, who is expected to return to the starting XI against Bournemouth at Stratford tomorrow.
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"Young players can be seriously affected by events and there are some West Ham fans who might be concerned about Declan," he told the Evening Standard. "What I’ve found about Declan though is that he has a really mature head on his shoulders.
"As an example, we’d had a meal in the hotel in Liverpool before the game and we shared a lift going back to our rooms. As one of the more experienced players, I know what we are about to face at Anfield later that day, the atmosphere, the intensity, top opposition.
"I asked him: 'How are you feeling mate? Are you nervous?' He replied: 'Not really, it’s only a game of football after all.' In a way he’s right of course and I just thought to myself 'Blimey, I wish I’d had that sort of outlook and attitude when I was 19!'
"Declan may be young and still learning the game but he has such a good head on his shoulders. He’s mentally strong and he believes in his own ability. Knowing Declan, he will use last weekend as a learning curve and as a spur to go on and continue to improve.
"He will be fine."
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Rice's has enjoyed a remarkable rise to prominence within the West Ham first team squad since making his full debut on the final day of the 2017/18 season in a 2-1 win at Burnley.
Signed from Chelsea in 2016, the 19-year-old has already represented the Republic of Ireland on three occasions and remains a key member of Manuel Pellegrini's first team squad at West Ham, despite last weekend's hiccup.
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