West Ham boss backs quintet to break into Three Lions squad

While West Ham’s international signings have been getting all the praise this year, their home-grown boys have been impressing too.

England boss Roy Hodgson was at Upton Park to watch the win against Chelsea, casting his eye over Aaron Cresswell, James Tomkins, Carl Jenkinson, Mark Noble and Andy Carroll.

Stewart Downing was the last Hammer to represent the Three Lions, playing against Scotland last year, but he has since moved on.

With West Ham sitting fourth in the Premier League, many believe it is high time for some of their players to be given a chance by Hodgson, but Slaven Bilic is putting no pressure on the England boss.

“I was manager of my country for six years and I don’t want to tell Roy who he should or shouldn’t pick,” said the Croatian.

“I rate my players and they are doing well. If they continue to play like they have, they have every reason to expect or hope that they will be involved in the England team.”

Carroll is currently being eased back into the first team at Upton Park after overcoming the ankle injury which plagued him last season.

The big Geordie headed the winner against the Blues and Bilic rates his striker as one of the best in the air in the country.

But he also believes his team’s options are not limited if Carroll is not playing.

“You can’t say we don’t have a physical presence in the last third or in the box without Andy, we have it,” Bilic added.

“We are good in the air without Andy, we have some good players.

“Diafra Sakho is good in the air, Nikica Jelavic is strong but Andy is maybe the best in England.”