Rice sends message to West Ham teammate Yarmolenko after Ukraine tribute

West Ham United captain Declan Rice paid tribute to teammate Andriy Yarmolenko both before and after his team's 1-0 Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Ukraine international Yarmolenko has been given time off by the Hammers, with manager David Moyes saying "He's not in a really good position at the moment" amid the escalating situation in the forward's home country.

The former Dynamo Kyiv star sat out the Wolves game, with Tomas Soucek scoring the only goal to take Moyes' team up to fifth in the Premier League table, with Rice holding aloft a shirt bearing Yarmolenko's name before kick-off.

After the final whistle, Rice - who captained his team to victory - shed some more light on what his teammate has been going through over the last few days.

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"It's so, so important for me, for the team, for everyone at the club to support [Yarmolenko]" Rice told Sky Sports after being asked about West Ham's show of solidarity.

"The day it all started, we saw him at the training ground and he was in bits, and so were all the lads for him.

"We're all there for him, we're all there for the people of Ukraine. It's horrible what's happening but we're all there with Yarma and the little tap on the shirt to start the game obviously brought some good luck."

Rice revealed Yarmolenko has family members currently back in Ukraine, adding that the 32-year-old is "going through some really tough times".

"Tomas [Soucek] has spoken to him a little bit more, but we've all sent him a little message and he sent us a message in the group chat before the game saying 'good luck boys', so I'm sure that was good luck for us today."

"We spoke together about it and it's a very difficult time for him, and not only for him but for all of Ukraine" Czech midfielder Soucek added.

"Everybody should know what's happening there, and what we did was a little [way to] support "

There was a show of support for Yarmolenko on the screen outside the London Stadium, with a banner reading "Sending love and prayers to Andriy Yarmolenko and the people of Ukraine," and the message was repeated inside the ground.

A similar gesture was made at Wembley ahead of the Carabao Cup final, with the message "Football Stands Together" presented against a backdrop of the Ukrainian flag colours.

"We've given him a few days off and that's totally understandable," Moyes earlier said of West Ham's number seven.

"It's very difficult but I've asked him and the club have been very good again and the club have asked me to speak with him and I've asked if there is anything we can do for him and if there is, we'll certainly help him.

"He's asked if he can have a few days off now and we've certainly granted him that. It's a really difficult time for him and his family and we respect that."