I can see London getting its own franchise one day, says gridiron legend Jerry Rice

NFL legend Jerry Rice has tipped London to get its own American football team in the future ahead of Sunday's showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos at Wembley.

London has become a regular host to a one-off NFL game each season but Rice, a three-time Super Bowl winner who boasts the record number of touchdowns in the league's history, believes the sport could become more of a fixture in the capital.

"There's certainly enough interest in London to warrant an NFL team," said Rice. "I can't speak for Roger Goodell [the NFL commissioner] so I don't know if there's going to be a team here or not but the interest is there.

"There will be 85,000 people at Wembley on Sunday watching a regular NFL game. There's a lot of love for American football here in London."

Rice spent 15 seasons with the 49ers, who have had a woeful start to the season, winning just one of seven games ahead of their match against the Broncos.

The 49ers are struggling this season in the NFC West but Rice believes victory at Wembley could yet prove a springboard for a successful season.

"Going home with a win would give them all the confidence they need for the rest of the season," he said. "This is a great side but it's young and it needs some leaders to make the plays.

"I still think the 49ers can win the West but, if they don't win it, it will be hard for them to come back this season."

Rice also defended the decision of the 49ers to agree to play a home game more than 5,000 miles from their Candlestick Park home.

He added: "I think the players will think it's an honour to play in London and be the home team. To go abroad and showcase what the NFL is capable of is fantastic."