Sam keeps Antonio on sidelines

After the high excitement of seeing Michail Antonio called up for England my interest in the international team was briefly re-ignited.

Sam Allardyce made a top call in bringing the Iron into the Three Lions fold and I can’t think of a worthier candidate – so well done to the manager on that.

Sadly however, the former Irons boss has decided to leave him on the sidelines for the World Cup qualifier against Slovakia tomorrow (Sun) thus putting my personal interest back on hold.

Hopefully the lad will be among the subs and get a sniff of the action.

Allardyce  told the players his starting XI on Friday for the tough test awaiting them in their opening Group F fixture — the nations drew 0-0 during the group stage in France – and it features no major surprises.

In fact it features eight of those who flopped against Iceland and even includes Harry Kane despite the Tottenham striker’s disastrous Euros under predecessor Roy Hodgson and subsequent disappointing start to the Premier League season.

Kane has just one goal in his last 11 appearances for club and country, so Allardyce’s show of faith will be a major confidence boost for the out-of-form centre-forward.

Wish ’em all the best but for me Michail’s inclusion was a given – not even an argument.

England: Hart; Walker, Cahill, Stones, Rose; Dier, Henderson; Lallana, Rooney, Sterling; Kane.