West Ham captain Mark Noble insists Declan Rice is okay after a difficult first game of the season at Liverpool.

Noble wrote for his column in the London Evening Standard: "Young players can be seriously affected by events and there are some West Ham fans who might be concerned about Declan Rice, who was substituted at half-time against Liverpool.

"What I've found about Declan though is that, he may be just 19 but 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."