West Ham United star James Ward-Prowse ‘on standby’ for England Euro 2024 place
West Ham star James Ward-Prowse is “on standby” for England’s Euro 2024 squad, according to 90min journalist Toby Cudworth.
The midfielder, who moved to the London Stadium from Southampton in the summer, has two goals and nine assists in 16 Hammers appearances.
But he was not included in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, with the Three Lions ending their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against North Macedonia on Monday (20 November).
Noting that the player is “on standby,” Cudworth wrote for 90min (21 November): “There’s been a swell of support for West Ham’s James Ward-Prowse on social media, but he’s been unable to force his way into the reckoning even though England had already qualified by the time they played Malta and North Macedonia.”
Not looking good
Unless Southgate’s side are plagued by injuries between now and next summer, it seems that Ward-Prowse will not be on the Euro 2024 plane.
The Hammers midfielder has missed out on recent squads, with the likes of Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Kalvin Phillips, James Maddison and Jordan Henderson in there instead.
Former West Ham star Rice and Real Madrid icon Bellingham should be ahead of Ward-Prowse in the pecking order, but perhaps the ex-Saints man should be in there in front of Henderson and Phillips.
But Southgate has been loyal to that duo, and moreover has included Liverpool man Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, further reducing Ward-Prowse’s chances of a call-up.
Perhaps the lack of international action for the midfield man will please Hammers boss David Moyes, who can continue working with the player at Rush Green and keep him fit for another important season at club level as the Hammers fight for trophies domestically and in Europe.
In other West Ham news, a report has shared how Hammers insiders feel about a European ace, with a January transfer on the cards.