By Jonty Banks

21st Mar, 2023 | 12:30pm

West Ham United news: Emerson could feature v England this week after late Italy call-up

West Ham United left-back Emerson has been called-up to Italy’s squad for the upcoming international break and could be in line to feature against England on Thursday (23 March), according to Jonty Colman.

Emerson, 28, has been in fine form for David Moyes’ side in recent weeks and, although initially left out of Roberto Mancini’s 30-man squad, has been drafted in for injured Inter Milan defender Frederico Dimarco.

The Italian will join fellow Hammers player Ginluca Scamacca in Mancini’s squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions side and Malta.

Taking to Twitter (21 March), Football London reporter Colman wrote: “Emerson has been added to Italy’s squad following an injury to Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco.

“Could be involved against England on Thursday night.”

Well deserved

If any West Ham United player has stood up among the club’s poor form this season, it has been Emerson.

The attacking full-back took to the change to a back five like a duck to water, thriving in more advanced positions in the final third.

And although Moyes has recently switched back to a more rigid back-four to accommodate Danny Ings in attack, Emerson continues to defy his past critics and live up to his £15million price tag.

His goal in the 1-1 draw against former employers Chelsea highlighted what a threat the Italian can be when he gets in and around the opposition penalty box, and he could yet take this onto the international stage in the coming fortnight.

Hopefully, Hammers fans will get to witness three of their players take to the field on Thursday night, with Declan Rice likely to start in the heart of England’s midfield and Scamacca in with a chance of featuring for Mancini’s side.