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Former Arsenal and England right-back Lee Dixon does not believe Declan Rice should be thrown into the Three Lions' set-up immediately, as per BBC Sport.

The West Ham United midfielder has declared his intention to represent England ahead of Republic of Ireland, the country for whom he played in three international friendlies.

What's the word?

England play against the Czech Republic and Montenegro next month in qualifiers for Euro 2020.

Rice's declaration means that he is available for selection by manager Gareth Southgate, should he wish to give the 20-year-old his first senior cap.

Dixon, however, who won 22 caps for his country between 1990 and 1999, says that Rice should be allowed to develop away from the international spotlight before Southgate brings him into the fold.

"I definitely think he is an asset for England," he said, per BBC.

"But it is the same thing with the media - as soon as plays three or four games and is playing well, we're throwing him in the England team and making him the best player in the world.

"Let him develop on his own. Whether he is in this squad or not, it might be a bit too early for him."

Rice is needed

There are few genuine holes in England's squad.

Their excellent depth was shown at the 2018 World Cup, as the Three Lions reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1990.

However, there is a dearth of genuine quality in defensive midfield, a position that needs filling against the bigger nations, such as Spain, Germany and France.

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Eric Dier at Tottenham Hotspur has struggled to stay fit this season and is not mobile enough to be a continued asset at international level, while Liverpool's Jordan Henderson was arguably the least effective player in Southgate's team in Russia.

Rice, then, is needed. Dixon may well be right that he needs to develop, but the Hammers man is already better than both Dier and Henderson and is not just likely to become a member of the squad.

Instead, when he is called up, he will surely go straight into the starting XI. And that cannot wait.