---
title: "Virals: Declan Rice could be risked for crucial Burnley clash"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/05/03/virals-declan-rice-could-be-risked-for-crucial-burnley-clash/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-05-03T08:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-05-03T08:02:51Z"
---

# Virals: Declan Rice could be risked for crucial Burnley clash

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/05/02/virals-west-ham-twitter-speculates-over-possible-lineup-against-burnley/) manager [David Moyes](https://readwestham.com/2021/04/28/virals-david-moyes-and-lukasz-fabianski-claim-awards/) could be about to ‘risk’ Declan Rice against Burnley as the race for a top-four finish reaches a tipping point.

The Hammers travel to Lancashire tonight to take on Burnley at Turf Moor and could be set to welcome Rice back into the centre of midfield after a [four-week absence](https://talksport.com/football/860133/declan-rice-west-ham-knee-injury/).

Following a [report from Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/12292826/declan-rice-west-ham-boss-david-moyes-says-midfielder-is-key-to-european-push) claiming the 22-year-old could return as Moyes’ side look to close the gap to Chelsea, Irons Twitter account[West Ham Central](https://twitter.com/WestHam_Central/status/1388982065455054849) have further advanced the notion.

> Twitter: David Moyes could be prepared to risk Declan Rice for an early return on Monday night against Burnley at Turf Moor. https://t.co/VrZSeqVFk5 (@WestHam\_Central)

Victory against Burnley would see the Hammers [cut the gap to the top four](https://www.premierleague.com/tables) to just three points with four matches remaining.

Prior to the knee injury suffered whilst away on international duty, Rice had been an [ever-present](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/declan-rice/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/357662/saison/2020/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/379) in the heart of the West Ham midfield – seeing every minute of Premier League action.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Following[successive losses](https://www.whufc.com/fixtures/first-team/fixtures-and-results), the UEFA Champions League qualification hopes are unfortunately hanging by a thread.

The return of Rice would be a major boost to the Irons’ chances, especially against a [hard-working side](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-hard-working-burnley-have-what-it-takes-cause-spurs-more-home-discomfort) such as Burnley who will look to make things difficult for Moyes’ men.