More gloom for Oxford on international front

Reece Oxford look to have even more reason to regret his move to Jaap Stam’s Reading.

The top Hammers prospect – who recently wrote on his Instagram account that “sometimes you need to take a step backwards to move forward – has been left on the bench for the England U19 side as they take on Norway at St George’s Park this afternoon.

Reece has struggled for game time at the Royals after recovering from an ankle problem and joining on a six-month loan deal in January.

However, he only made his debut for the club with a 17-minute 3-0 defeat to Preston North End in the Championship.

Fellow Hammer Nathan Trott was also named in the squad for the matches but has not made the 16 for today’s game.

The Young Lions will tackle Norway, Spain and Belarus in the UEFA Elite Round Qualifiers over the next six days, with the winner of their group advancing to the tournament in Georgia this summer.