Antonio gets Big Sam’s nod for England

West Ham’s Michail Antonio has been called up to manager Sam Allardyce’s first England squad while Mark Noble has been overlooked again for the World Cup qualifier in Slovakia on 4th September.

“I think he’s in outstanding form,” Allardyce told the FA website. “This is another lad with a great journey – it’s a fantastic journey that he’s been on, from non-league to now an international call-up.He scored nine goals in his first season and he’s a terrific athlete, a good crosser and a goalscorer.”

Everyone at ClaretandHugh congratulates Antonio on his call up.

England squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley).

Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Michail Antonio (West Ham United), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).

Strikers: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City).