A picture of Declan Rice in training with Jesse Lingard has caused a stir among West Ham United fans.
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Insiders say Rice is rated as 50/50 at best to return to the West Ham fold for today’s crunch game against Everton.
Next weekend’s game against Brighton is viewed as a more likely return date for West Ham’s midfield talisman.
But West Ham fans are not so sure. And many are convinced he will play against Everton on Sunday afternoon.
Moyes coy as Rice return hopes rise
Hammers boss David Moyes remained tight-lipped over whether Rice would be available for selection against the Toffees, suggesting a decision will be made today.
“We’re obviously getting closer to getting Declan back, because we’re another week down the line and we’re hoping that we can have him available,” Moyes said (whufc.com).
“He’s back on the grass and closing in on it. Undoubtedly he’s a big miss for us and we’ll try to get him back as quickly as we can.
“He’s so important for us and we need to get him back as soon as we can. He can make the difference in the games and we have a big game coming up this weekend for a starter.”
West Ham fans starting to believe midfielder will be back to face Everton after picture posted by media team
Now West Ham fans are starting to believe Rice will return to the team for the Toffees clash after a picture emerged on social media.
The image posted by West Ham’s media team shows Rice in training with fellow Hammers star Lingard.
But unlike previous images from Rice in training with the team, this time the midfield enforcer was wearing boots instead of trainers.
“The lads,” West Ham wrote on the Twitter post.
The picture shows Rice kneeling too suggesting there are no concerns over his knees after the injury.
Many West Ham fans are now convinced he will be ruled fit for the Everton game.
Hammers have nothing to lose and everything to play for
A win for West Ham would put them just two points behind fourth-placed Leicester with three games to play.
The Foxes face Man United and Chelsea, both away from home, either side of the FA Cup final – also against Chelsea before finishing against Tottenham.
West Ham meanwhile face three of the bottom six with Brighton, West Brom and Southampton to come after Everton.
Having Rice back would be a major boost to West Ham’s hopes.
We’ll all know by 3.30pm when today’s team is announced.
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