West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice has vowed to keep working hard to improve this season.

Rice featured in defeat to preseason opponents Newcastle United on Saturday.

“You need to improve," he said. “I don't think you can be happy and content with how I played last season. I'm certainly not. I know I can get better for sure.

“There is so much of my game I need to get better at, maybe going forward a bit more; sometimes in my position, I'm just there to sit there and keep things ticking; my tactical side of the game; when to drop in as a centre-half and when to push up – there are so many things.

“I'm still only 20 years old. I'm enjoying playing every week, I'm learning and I'm trying to get better."

He added: "The conditions were hard to play in, especially on Saturday when we played at five o'clock and it was really hot and sticky. Against Man City it was a bit easier as it was cooler but, like I said, we knew what were getting into when the manager decided to come here.

“It's a great tournament and it's tough, but we're going to get fitter and it stands us in good stead for when we go back."