Mark Noble is relishing getting back to Premier League action this weekend after enjoying a successful week on the international stage.
The West Ham United midfielder was part of the England Under-21 team that beat Portugal 2-0 at Wembley Stadium to book their place in the European Under-21 Championship play-offs next month, which may see him come face-to-face with club-mate Jack Collison, who plays for Wales. Both countries have high hopes of making it to the finals next June.
Another typical hard-working performance from the 21-year-old Noble earned him much praise and he will be watching closely to see who England come up against in the draw on Friday. "I am looking forward to see who we will be playing in October," said Noble. "The boys have done really well - we knew it would be a tough match [against Portugal] but we deserved to win and probably by a bigger score as well.
"We are on a good unbeaten run and there is a good team spirit amongst all the boys. We go out thinking we can win every time we play and we have done that, which is good and everyone has been confident. Now, we are all looking to get to get a good draw and then go to Sweden for the championships next summer."
Noble has been in fine form for his country and although he did not find the net against Portugal in the last game, he has three goals from a dozen England U-21 appearances. Back at Chadwell Heath, he is focused on the return to domestic action as West Ham United travel to West Bromwich Albion this weekend.
He said: "I have been playing and training, so feel good and fit having returned here to West Ham this week. West Brom have come up to the Premier League this season and will be looking to get a win on their home ground. But we just have to go there and play our game, play the way we know we can and give it everything.
"We must play to our strengths and do all we can to be the ones who will come away with the victory and that is what we will be aiming to do."