Mick McCarthy remains hopeful West Ham teenager Declan Rice will pledge his future to the Republic of Ireland.
The London-born 19-year-old has already been capped for the Republic but has not been involved in any competitive fixtures while he considers playing for England instead.[phone]
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McCarthy, who began his second spell as national boss last month, revealed he has held talks with Rice and feels he could be a future captain of the country.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Goals On Sunday, McCarthy said: “I had a really good meeting with him.
“There was myself, (assistant manager) Robbie (Keane), Declan and his dad and it is just up to him what he wants to decide – that’s how I’ve left it.
“It’s not my decision as to whether he plays for the Republic of Ireland, it’s my job – if he decides that he wants to stay with us – to pick him.
“I think he’s a really talented player. I thought he was a lovely lad, he’s got a really nice family behind him and he has everything about him that makes you want him to play for you.
“That’s still my case, I want him to play for us.
“I’d love to build a team around him. We start in March and that’s my deadline I guess, I need to know by then.
“I’d like to build a team around him and he could be a future captain – he’s that type of player.”
Rice made his 50th appearance for West Ham in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Watford.
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