talkSPORT host Ally McCoist issues advice to West Ham United ace James Ward-Prowse after England snub
Ally McCoist has urged West Ham ace James Ward-Prowse to “keep playing the way you are playing” after once again being snubbed by England.
Ward-Prowse was left out of Gareth Southgate’s latest squad for the friendly with Australia and Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy, both at Wembley.
The 28-year-old continues to be overlooked by his national side, despite being in superb form for West Ham since joining from Southampton.
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast on Wednesday [11 October, 07:03], McCoist said: “He’s unlucky. But we’re speaking about [Jude] Bellingham, [Declan] Rice, boys like that – they’re really strong in the middle of the park.
“I really like him and I really like the way he has gone about things as well. When he didn’t initially get his move in the summer, there was no ‘I wanna leave Southampton’. He’s just knuckled down, got his work done and got his move.”
Asked if he has any advice for Ward-Prowse, McCoist added: “Keep going, absolutely, 100%. Keep playing the way you’re playing.”
Something different
Jarrod Bowen may have got his call-up last week, but it is incredible that Ward-Prowse has still not done enough to earn a place in Southgate’s squad.
As a quick reminder, the midfielder has assisted six goals and scored twice in nine appearances in all competitions since joining from Southampton in a £30million deal.
Ward-Prowse has lived up to the hype in terms of his set-piece and crossing expertise, while also proving to be a real menace for opposition teams when it comes to his creativity from open play.
McCoist is right in pointing out that England do have some serious quality in central midfield already, but Ward-Prowse undoubtedly provides something different.
With one more international window to come this year, the new Hammers fan favourite just needs to keep doing what he is doing at club level and hope the call comes from Southgate in November.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are reportedly hoping to sign a player who was recently on the scoresheet against Manchester United.