Pundit shares ‘fuming’ verdict on talkSPORT after ‘joke’ England snub for West Ham United ace James Ward-Prowe

It is a “joke” that West Ham midfielder James-Ward Prowse was not called up to the latest England squad, according to Danny Murphy.

The talkSPORT pundit said he would be “fuming” if he was the Hammers man, with Murphy calling the snub a “really poor decision” from Gareth Southgate.

England take on Ukraine in Euro 2024 qualifying on Saturday (9 September) before a friendly clash with Scotland on Tuesday (12 September).

Ward-Prowse, who joined West Ham from Southampton in the summer transfer window, has 11 Three Lions caps to his name.

“I’d be fuming if I was Ward-Prowse,” Murphy said live on talkSPORT. “Looking at some of the players who have been picked ahead of him. It’s a joke, it’s a really poor decision that one I think.”

Poor decision

It was both a poor and strange decision from Three Lions boss Southgate, who instead has opted for the likes of Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice as his midfield choices.

Of course some of those names are undroppable at this moment in time, like Rice and Bellingham, but perhaps Ward-Prowse should have been named ahead of Manchester City man Phillips.

The former Leeds United ace has constantly been overlooked at club level by manager Pep Guardiola, in stark contrast to Ward-Prowse, who has made a superb start to the new season.

The ex-Southampton captain has made a fantastic start to his career in claret and blue, registering a goal and three assists from his three matches so far.

If selected, he wouldn’t have been a starter under Southgate, but the player certainly offers something different in midfield, particularly in terms of his set-piece ability.

In other West Ham news, a rival bid is now on the cards for the Hammers to miss out on a freebie signing.