Cullen helps England win

Josh Cullen had a night to remember as he helped England to a 4-0 win against Wales in the Victory Shield on Thursday.

The U16 tournament has been a breeding ground for homegrown Hammers, with Cullen following the likes of Blair Turgott, Matthias Fanimo, Robert Hall and Jordan Spence as recent Young Lions. Cullen, wearing the No4, played for 66 minutes of the 80 played at the Whaddon Road home of Cheltenham Town.

The Wickford-based midfielder was watched by club legend, Sir Trevor Brooking who was at the match in his role as the FA's Director of Football Development. Cullen had been an unused substitute in the 3-1 win against Northern Ireland earlier this month but will hope to keep his place in the final Victory Shield encounter against Scotland in Inverness on 25 November.

Meanwhile, fellow Academy ace Leo Chambers was withdrawn from England duty this week for the 2012 UEFA European U17 Championship qualifiers in Bosnia-Herzegovina because of injury.