Antonio receives England call-up

Michail Antonio
  • West Ham United midfielder Michail Antonio called-up for England’s fixtures against Germany and Lithuania
  • The 26-year-old will be hoping to make his Three Lions debut after being named in two previous squads
  • Winger is one of a host of Hammers representing their countries this month

Michail Antonio has been called up to the England national squad for the third time ahead of the side’s fixtures against Germany and Lithuania.

The midfielder has been in fantastic form for West Ham United all season, and is the Club’s top scorer with nine goals.

Antonio will be hoping to make his international debut for Gareth Southgate’s men as they first travel to Dortmund to face the world champions in a friendly fixture before taking on Lithuania at Wembley in FIFA World Cup qualification.

The 26-year-old was previously on the bench for qualifiers against Slovakia, Malta and Slovenia and will therefore be eager to make his Three Lions bow this time around.

After receiving the news of his call-up, Antonio said: “I’m overwhelmed and I’m buzzing. It’s great for me and I just feel all the work I’m doing on the pitch is starting to get noticed. I’m buzzing and hopefully I can go and get an opportunity.

“It’s one of those things where if I keep doing what I’m doing for West Ham, I might get an opportunity on the international side. I’m a step closer now so hopefully it can happen.

“The Germany game is a massive game and they’re the World Cup holders so, even if I don’t get on, it is a great experience for me to go. Hopefully I can get on and I can impress.

If I keep doing what I’m doing for West Ham, I might get an opportunity on the international side. I’m a step closer now so hopefully it can happen.

Michail Antonio

Winston Reid and a number of other Hammers have also been called-up

“I’m always wanting to impress and show how well I can do and it shows I am doing it so hopefully I can keep it going.

“I am just going to take it in my stride and keep my feet on the ground and hopefully I can keep getting these opportunities.”

Meanwhile, a number of other Hammers have also received call-ups to represent their international sides.

Firstly, West Ham vice-skipper Winston Reid has been named in New Zealand’s squad for a double-header in World Cup qualification against Fiji. The centre-back’s side are currently top of their three-team Oceania Group.

January signing Jose Fonte, who lifted the UEFA European Championship trophy in the summer with Portugal, will travel back to his country as they take on first Hungary in a qualifier before hosting Sweden in a friendly.

Closer to home, fellow new-boy Robert Snodgrass will face Canada with his Scotland team in a friendly before a crucial Group F qualification clash with Slovenia.

Darren Randolph is in the Republic of Ireland squad for a qualifier with James Collins’ Wales and friendly with Iceland in Dublin, while Edimilson Fernandes is in the Switzerland squad for a World Cup qualifier with Latvia.

Cheikhou Kouyate’s Senegal face Nigeria in the unlikely setting of Barnet FC’s The Hive stadium in north London, before heading to Paris to tackle Ivory Coast.

And finally, Havard Nordtveit will not have far to travel as he eyes 30th Norway cap in a World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland.