'Proud' Potts looking forward to England action: defender and West Ham teammate Hall called up to U20 World Cup squad

After a lack of West Ham players in Stuart Pearce’s England U21 squad may have come as a disappointment, Dan Potts and Rob Hall have both been named in Peter Taylor’s provision U20 squad for the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup this summer.

 

Taylor has named the two Hammers in the 35 man squad, but this will be cut down to just 21 on June 7th, so the young pair will have to impress in the training camp.

For Potts, this was an added bonus after initially being included in the U19 team for the UEFA European U19 Championship Elite Qualifying Round, but he will now be trying to impress at the next level.

The 19 year old defender told whufc.com: "I'm pleased to have been called-up, definitely... I'm very proud. It's a great experience. International football is a different kind of football. There is a lot to take in and you are representing your country at the end of the day.

"As much as it being a proud honour, you want to do your best for your country and the main objective is to do well.

"At the end of the day, as a young footballer you want to be at the top and it doesn't get much better than representing your country, that's for sure."

Potts also reflected on his season with the West Ham U21s and the first team, and he is pleased with his progress this season.

He said: "Looking back, I've got some good memories. I've had some good results and some bad results but it's all experience and a learning curve, so I take nothing but positives from them."

He also described his personal highlight from the season, singling out the 2-2 draw with Manchester United in the FA Cup.

On that match, he said: "It was definitely up there with my best individual performances. You've got to take into account I was playing against the future champions of England. It was a great experience and now I just want to push on into next year."

Meanwhile, Rob Hall’s England  experience at U17 level will hold him in good stead for this new challenge. After an impressive season on loan with Bolton and Birmingham, he will be hoping for a bigger opportunity at international level.

The U20 World Cup will be held in Turkey from June 21st and England will face Iraq, Chile and Egypt in Group E.

By Lucy Woolford, Youth and Development Squad reporter

@lucy_whufc

Hodg and glory: Carroll named in England squad for friendlies

West Ham striker Andy Carroll has been named in Roy Hodgson's England squad to face the Republic of Ireland and Brazil in friendlies on 29 May and 2 June respectively.

The on loan Liverpool striker has been in fine form for the Hammers of late, scoring 7 goals in all competitions and was believed to be under the watchful eye of Hodgson's assistant manager Ray Lewington in the club's recent 0-0 draw with Newcastle.

The 23 year old's selection will come as a personal victory for West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, who, after his side's 2-2 draw with Manchester United last month, launched a scathing attack on Three Lions boss Hodgson and accused him of being 'scared' to pick Carroll because of the negative press he believed the selection would attract.

Allardyce has also previously stated that a permanent move to the Boleyn Ground would benefit Carroll in terms of pushing himself into the England reckoning on a regular basis, so has two reasons to be delighted with his star striker's selection for the national side.

The East London side were yesterday reported to be in negotiations with Liverpool over the permanent transfer of former Newcastle hitman Carroll.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Ciao Carlton: striker set for Boleyn Ground farewell on Sunday

West Ham striker Carlton Cole will make his last appearance in a Hammers shirt this Sunday against Reading, according to the Sun.

Irons boss Sam Allardyce hinted yesterday of his desire to trim the West Ham squad ahead of next season, and ex Chelsea forward Cole, 29, looks set to be the first to go.

The newspaper claims that the striker, who has been at Upton Park since 2006, rejected a new contract last season after taking a 50% wage cut to stay at the East London club following Premier League relegation in 2011.

Cole's representatives, meanwhile, last month denied that there had been any contact from the club over a new deal for the former England striker after reports that the club had offered the big number nine a new contract, with a deadline of the final day of the season.

Crystal Palace are said to be interested in signing Cole and may well make an approach for the out of contract striker if they win their upcoming Championship play-off final against Watford on May 27.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Carroll "much more than a target man" and deserves England chance- McDonald

West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald has praised on loan striker Andy Carroll ahead of tomorrow's Premier League clash with Newcastle United at the Boleyn Ground, and has said that the 24 year old will be "licking his lips" at the prospect of facing his former club.

"Andy will be desperate to score against Newcastle and keep up his fine run of form," said McDonald.

"When you're in form, you should be considered for England and Andy is more than just a big lump, and he would give England much more options than just a big ball over the top. He has excellent control, inter-link play and of course is fantastic in the air."

Recent reports have intimated that a good performance on Saturday for Carroll could see a return to the England squad for the big striker, with England coaches including Roy Hodgson's No 2, Ray Lewington, expected to be at the match tomorrow.

"You might think that he's difficult to work with, but he's a very unassuming young man who has done fantastically well considering he is in the spotlight all the time and is working hard and trying to learn."

On Carroll's future at the end of the season, McDonald echoed the feelings of his boss.

"It is a pleasure to work with Andy, I think he is enjoying life in London, which has been reflected in his performances, and if we can get him at the end of the season, that would be great."

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling