First Team

Downing receives England call-up

In-form West Ham United star has been called-up by England.

Downing, who has 34 caps for his country, has contributed greatly to West Ham's outstanding start to the Barclays Premier League season, scoring twice and making four assists in ten appearances.

Hodgson welcomed Downing's recall, saying: "He's had a tremendous resurgence in form. It's the right time to ask him to come back and be involved."

After being capped by his former 'Boro boss Steve McClaren, Downing was also picked regularly by Fabio Capello before Hodgson included him in his squad for the 2012 UEFA European Championship finals.

Should he appear in either game, Downing will become the first West Ham player to represent England since Andy Carroll appeared against San Marino in October 2012 - and the 39th Hammer to pull on the Three Lions shirt.

Downing moved to Liverpool in 2011, winning the Man of the Match award in the final as the Reds won the League Cup in 2012.

Downing is one of a host of Hammers to have been called by their respective nations. James Collins is in the Wales squad for their Euro 2016 qualifier in Belgium, while Diafra Sakho has been rewarded for his fine form with a Senegal recall for vital 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Egypt and home to Botswana.