Declan Rice hopes Ben White will agree to end his England exile and reveals he will hold talks with his Arsenal team-mate over international snub – but Three Lions’ newest captain insists ‘we can’t argue with him’

Declan Rice says he will speak to Ben White upon his return to Arsenal, with England’s newest captain hopeful that his club team-mate will eventually agree to end his exile.

White is not with the Three Lions squad after informing Gareth Southgate that he does not want to be selected for his country. 

Rice, who is set to be skipper against Belgium at Wembley on Tuesday, was asked about the situation at his press conference on Monday.

‘The only thing I can say is it’s Ben’s life,’ said Rice. ‘It’s Ben’s decision. We can’t argue with him, with what he wants to do. Of course, there’s always going to be people writing stuff, having their opinions on what on what they think.

‘But at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what he thinks and at this moment in time, he obviously doesn’t want to play for England.

Rice (left) plans to hold talks with Arsenal team-mate White (right) upon his return to the club

Midfielder Rice will captain the Three Lions in their friendly against Belgium this week

‘I really hope he does (change his mind), because I see him every day, he is such a good character. Very composed. Very level-headed. 

‘When he’s on a football pitch, he will do anything to win but also I think for England as well, he can play as a centre back and at right back, as an inverted full back. Now he’s a really key tool that we could have.

‘So I hope he changes his mind. Obviously, at this moment in time, he doesn’t feel like he wants that. So that I think that is his decision.  

‘I know him and Gareth spoke internally about it. So I don’t know too much of the ins and outs, but I just hope he changes his mind.’

On whether he would try to persuade White to change his mind upon his return to Arsenal, Rice said: ‘When I go back, I’ll speak to him and see, but hopefully he does change his mind on that. Because having a player like that, in the squad who’s performing well in the Premier League it’d be a great addition to the squad.’