England newboy Michail Antonio keen to prove his worth at international level

30 August 2016 01:53

England manager Sam Allardyce has told new call-up Michail Antonio that his form for West Ham means he belongs in his international set-up.

The 26-year-old winger has enjoyed a fine start to the new Premier League season and has already scored twice for the Hammers, having reverted back to the wing having ended last season, and started this, playing at right-back.

Antonio is the only uncapped player announced in Allardyce's first squad but has been assured by the boss that he is deserving of his place ahead on England's opening World Cup qualifier in Slovakia on Sunday.

"I'm settling in quite well, it is just nerve-wracking a little bit because I didn't expect this so early in my Premier League career, I'm definitely looking forward to it," said Antonio.

"When I first came and spoke to the gaffer I said I was very grateful for the opportunity, he said 'there is no need to be grateful and that if you look at your stats and what you have done, you deserve to be here'.

"But obviously I'm very grateful and I just believe that I need to make him proud and show everyone out there that I have got the ability and I can do it."

Antonio's is the latest rise from non-league football to the senior England set-up following the similar path taken by Leicester striker Jamie Vardy.

Former Tooting and Mitcham man Antonio enjoyed spells at Reading, Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest before joining West Ham last summer.

During his time in non-league he also worked as a lifeguard, something he describes as "one of the most boring jobs" but he believes his tale can act as inspiration as he kept going until he reached the top.

"I have got 26 nieces and nephews and it is good to show them you can always do anything if you put your mind to it," he said.

"To pick someone like me from my background, it is a risk but the gaffer has shown his belief in me and now I have got to show it to the world. One thing I have always believed in is to never give up.

"Always have belief in yourself that you can achieve things. Anything is possible in life. Once I reach one target, I always search for another and I went from non-league to Reading. I kept going out on loan because I wasn't getting much time at Reading.

"Then I went to Sheffield Wednesday and then Nottingham Forest and I managed to get to West Ham, where I always wanted to be - the Premier League. Then I said to myself 'become an international'. Now I've done that, I've got to set myself a new target now."

Antonio revealed when he first learned of his call-up he thought he was being teased as he returned to the West Ham dressing room having scored their goal in a 3-1 defeat at Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

"It has been very emotional, especially when I found out," he said.

"It has always been a boyhood dream for me to play for England and the opportunity now by being called up is breathtaking.

"I did an interview at the end of the game and I came in and the physio went over to me and said 'you've been called up.' I said 'Ha, funny'. He said 'No, seriously.' I said 'good banter' but I looked at him for a good 30 seconds and he looked at me.

"I wasn't sure I could take him seriously but he showed me a piece of paper (confirming the call-up) and after that I started welling up inside. All I wanted to do was call my missus. Obviously she didn't pick up!"

Source: PA