West Ham United defender has been in fine form the club’s reserves.
The 18-year-old defender captained West Ham’s Under-23 side twice during October, helping the club beat Manchester United’s reserves 4-2 before inspiring the Hammers defence to a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against Chelsea’s second string.
Rice has broken into the first team under Slaven Bilic this season but has continued to keep match sharp by dropping into the under-23 side on occasion, including those two matches as well as a run out against Bristol Rovers in the Checkatrade Trophy.
The three-time Republic of Ireland Under-21 international posted a picture of him posing with the award on his personal Twitter account, stating that he was “delighted” to win the award and is hoping for “more to come”.
West Ham’s number 41 has made eight senior appearances for the east Londoners this term, with his most notable performance coming against London rivals Tottenham in which the Hammers won 3-2 thanks to an Andre Ayew brace and and an Angelo Ogbonna header.
Following his award, Rice could be named in David Moyes’ first starting eleven to face Watford at Vicarage Road on November 19, with Jose Fonte, Winston Reid and James Collins all nursing injuries.
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