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Stewart Downing has been called up to the England squad for the first time since May 2012.

The in-form winger became the first Hammer to receive a call-up for the national side since Andy Carroll was included in the team that beat San Marino in October 2012, when he was named in the 26-man squad to face Scotland and Slovenia later this month.

A delighted Downing told whufc.com: "If I was being honest I didn't think I'd get picked, to get picked is obviously a big thing for me. I just need to keep playing well for West Ham and hopefully I'll get a couple more caps when I get away.

"The way I've been playing and performing, I thought I was in with a chance and credit to the manager because he has picked me. He has obviously been watching our games and now I just need to put a performance in and stay in the squad, really."

And the former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough midfielder also had a special word of praise for current manager Sam Allardyce, who Downing believes put him back in contention for an England spot having tasked him with a new central role, in which he has excelled in recent weeks.

"Credit to the manager for changing it up," said the 30-year-old. "Playing in new and different positions can help and that's probably why I've been picked. Where Roy sees me playing I don't know but I'll find out when I get there.

"I'm enjoying playing in the middle, so if he plays me there and I can carry on my form I've been producing at West Ham, hopefully that'll be good enough."

To read more from Stewart on his England call-up, visit whufc.com.

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