Nketiah’s international future

STEVE McCLAREN wants Eddie Nketiah to swap international sides and play for Jamaica.

New Reggae Boyz chief McClaren is keen on the striker to join his team, despite playing for England’s Under-21s.

Nketiah, 25, could start for Jamaica after being overlooked by the Three Lions – and be led out by ex-England boss McClaren, who was in charge of the 1966 World Cup winners between 2006 and 2007.

But Crystal Palace are convinced their Deadline Day signing can boost his England chances this term.

Nketiah, whose solitary England cap came in October 2023 in a 1-0 win over Australia, joined the Eagles for £25million plus £5m in add-ons on Friday.

It brought to an end a relationship with Arsenal that has lasted more than a decade.

Rice breaks silence

DECLAN RICE admitted he was ‘shocked’ by his controversial sending off against Brighton.

“I was shocked, I think you could see in my face I was shocked.

“He’s obviously gone over… I’ve not sprinted back in front of him and smashed the ball away. I’ve touched the ball with the outside of my foot, look, this is the law of the game.

“If you touch the ball away, even a little bit, obviously it’s a red card, after my challenge in the first half – which I fully accept was a 50-50 that I didn’t win.

“But the second-half one, especially with it being in the corner flag, they can’t really progress anywhere from there. It was tough, it was harsh, but it’s one of those things.

“I have to move on from it, I will be better for it and I can only praise the players for digging deep for me and the manager for pushing everyone and the fans as well who were unbelievable again this afternoon. That’s how I see it.”

Merino injury update

Mikel Merino has revealed he doesn’t know how long he will be out for.

He was spotted with his arm in a sling at the Emirates in the game against Brighton.

According to Football London, he was asked on his way out about the severity of his injury.

The Spaniard replied he wasn’t sure when he would return.