David Moyes has insisted Declan Rice should receive a warm welcome from West Ham United fans on his return to his former club in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Rice is set to return to London Stadium for the first time since his £105m summer transfer to city rivals Arsenal on Wednesday when the two sides meet in the fourth round of the competition.
The midfielder spent ten successful years on the books at the Irons, graduating from the academy in 2015 and playing 245 senior games for the club. Rice also wore the captain's armband as West Ham won the UEFA Europa Conference League during the 2022/23 season, becoming the first club captain to lift a European trophy in nearly 60 years.
Speaking to the press ahead of the clash with Rice's new club Arsenal, Hammers manager Moyes has called on fans to give their former captain a warm welcome back to London Stadium.
He said: "I hope Declan Rice will be back at London Stadium on Wednesday. This is the man who lifted the first European trophy in 58 years at West Ham United, so he should be welcomed back with open arms. We're all looking forward to seeing him again.
"He was a brilliant member of the team, led the team well and conducted himself impeccably as a West Ham captain. I'm really looking forward to seeing Dec. I don't know if I really want him to play, but I really hope he's there."
It remains to be seen whether Rice will start the Carabao Cup clash, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta widely expected to rotate in squad players like Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira for the game.
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This article was originally published on 90min as David Moyes makes plea to West Ham fans ahead of Declan Rice return.