Declan Rice says he has one big worry for West Ham clash with Lyon after Hammer blow

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Talisman Declan Rice says he has one big worry for West Ham’s Europa League clash with Lyon after a Hammer blow.

The massive Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon is now less than 24 hours away at the London Stadium.

West Ham warmed up for the match with a 2-1 win over Everton. And across the Channel at the weekend, Lyon edged a five-goal thriller 3-2 at home against Angers which you can read all about here.

David Moyes spoke in his pre-match press conference about the need for West Ham’s fans and players to take into account that the match is very much over two legs.

Rice goes into the first leg walking a disciplinary tightrope. If the West Ham star is booked in the first leg he will be banned for the second in France next week.

But speaking ahead of the game, something else is playing on Rice’s mind.

Speaking in a Europa League feature on the club’s official website, Rice says he has one big worry for West Ham’s first leg clash with Lyon after the Hammer blow of losing Manuel Lanzini.

The Argentine is suspended for the match having picked up three bookings.

And Rice voiced his concern when re-watching Lanzini’s stunning performance in the second leg against Sevilla.

Declan Rice says he has one big worry for West Ham clash with Lyon after Hammer blow

“What was good about this match is that we played so well.” Rice said while watching Lanzini pulling the strings on the edge of the box (whufc.com).

“We kept passing the ball, kept moving, creating chances…

“He’s going to be a big miss against Lyon, Manu…

“Yea (we’re) confident. Obviously Lyon’s a tough game, they’ve got some top players but again it’s not like we haven’t played against Man City, Liverpool all those top teams in England so look it’s a game of football and we’ll be ready for it.”

Moyes will undoubtedly be fretting over a potential ban for his star player Rice too.

But Rice can’t afford to worry about that. He must play his natural game in the knowledge that Lanzini will be available and fresh for the second leg to give West Ham a massive boost.

Former Hammer Joe Cole, who had a spell at Lille, has told West Ham they should not fear Lyon.

But Lyon’s president Jean-Michel Aulas claims he has had a premonition of his side lifting the Europa League trophy in May.

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Declan Rice facing serious risk of Europa League ban against Lyon.