Sam calls up Antonio

Sam Allardyce marked his first squad announcement as England manager on Sunday by including uncapped West Ham United midfielder Michail Antonio in a 23-man party for next week's World Cup qualifier in Slovakia.

Antonio was included on the same day he scored for the Hammers in their 3-1 loss away to Premier League leaders Manchester City.

The 26-year-old has adjusted well to life in the Premier League since joining the Hammers from Nottingham Forest a year ago

He scored nine goals in 32 appearances for the London club last season, while his two most recent Hammers games have seen Antonio head in against both Bournemouth and City.

"I think he's in outstanding form," Allardyce told the Football Association's website as he explained his decision to select Antonio, who only a few seasons ago was playing non-league football for Tooting and Mitcham in south London.

Jamie Vardy, a key figure in Leicester City's stunning Premier League title success last season, has already trodden the path from non-league to international football and the Foxes striker has also been included in Allardyce's first England squad.

Now the England manager is looking forward to seeing Antonio complete the same trip.

"This is another lad with a great journey -- it's a fantastic journey that he's been on, from non-league to now an international call-up. He scored nine goals in his first season and he's a terrific athlete, a good crosser and a goal-scorer," Allardyce said.

"I'm looking forward to him coming, and looking forward to meeting everybody. Hopefully we will have a good few days' preparation and get to know each other on the basis of trying to go and win in Slovakia."

Meanwhile an emotional Antonio told West Ham's website: "I'm overwhelmed. It's just one of those things that I've always dreamt of playing for England as a kid, so now for it to happen after I've worked my way from non-league to where I am now, I am just so happy."

As expected goalkeeper Joe Hart was retained despite losing his first-team place at City under new manager Pep Guardiola while, equally unsurprisingly, Allardyce opted against recalling John Terry, the retired former England captain, after indicating he could contact the Chelsea centre-half.

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

DEFENDERS

Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

MIDFIELDERS

Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Michail Antonio (West Ham United), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

STRIKERS

 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)