Iron vows: “I just want to push on now!”

Reece Oxford wants to bounce back from his England disappointment by helping the Hammers through the early stages of their Europa Cup campaign.

The teenager has joined the squad in Austria and wants to play a role as the Irons head into the season proper after seeing the under 19s knocked out of the Uefa under 19 Championship.

He told the official site: “The boys tried their best in Germany and we won every group game. We were probably the favourites out there [when it got to the semi-finals], but sometimes the ball just doesn’t go in the net for you and the opposition is stronger on the day.

“So, hopefully we will bounce back from that and go to the U20s World Cup next year as favourites to win it.

“That’s a big aim for me now, so hopefully I can get into the squad and push on with them.

“It was good experience, playing up a year against players who are the best in their countries. It helps everyone in the team.

“I’m happy to be back here for pre-season now. I’m fit, because I’ve been involved at the U19s Euros, but I just want to push on, hopefully play a couple of Europa League games and push on for the season.

“I made my debut in the Europa League last season, then played two or three more and that helped me go on and play the first game in the Premier League.

“Hopefully I can do the same this summer. It would be good to be part of the squad to play in the first game at the new Stadium next week too.”