There has been widespread outcry amongst West Ham fans at the lack of representation of West Ham players in England squads.

With the exception of Stewart Downing last year, England has tended to overlook whichever players we have available.

England squads are unfortunately dominated by club reputation with the ‘big’ six or seven clubs providing the vast majority of players.

West Ham currently have five main players that might be of interest to England and I investigate whether they deserve a place in the squad or whether we are just biased.

Are they good enough?

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Carl Jenkinson

After an impressive spell on loan last season, Carl Jenkinson returned to West Ham on loan for 2015/16 from Arsenal.

An England U21 regular last term, Jenkinson would have had his sights set on a return to the England senior squad especially as there are doubts cast over the defensive abilities of Kyle Walker and Nathaniel Clyne.

The 23-year-old, however, has thus far failed to replicate last season’s performances and his individual errors have led to a few goals this year.

Verdict – Not good enough.
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Aaron Cresswell

Roy Hodgson’s reluctance to pick Aaron Cresswell has perplexed plenty of football experts, not just West Ham fans.

After joining from Championship outfit Ipswich in the summer of 2014, Cresswell surpassed everyone’s expectations to be crowned ‘Hammer of the Year’. Sturdy defensive showings were complimented by his ability to get forward and produce quality balls into the box.

However, the 25-year-old somehow finds himself missing out to Ryan Bertrand – who has been injured for most of this season and Kieran Gibbs, who is second-choice left back at Arsenal.

He probably also sits behind Tottenham’s second choice left back, Danny Rose and Everton’s perpetually injured Leighton Baines so his England chances look unreasonably slim.

Verdict – Good enough.
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James Tomkins

Despite starting the season as our third choice centre back, James Tomkins has taken advantage of injuries to counterparts Angelo Ogbonna and Winston Reid to cement his place in our starting line-up.

On his day he can be rock solid but inconsistency and proneness to injury has tarred his career thus far.

England, however, are struggling for centre backs and surely he would be a better option than Phil Jones, who has not been getting game time at Manchester United this season.

Verdict – Outside chance.
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Mark Noble

West Ham fans get routinely wound up about Mark Noble’s omission at the announcement of every national squad.

Then, in a fickle U-turn, our fans are very quick to criticise his performances for West Ham.

Noble is a workhorse and he will always be unreservedly committed to the cause but realistically he is not good enough for England. At 28 years of age too, his time has probably passed.

Having said that, some players’ inclusions at his expense have been farcical; Fabian Delph in this latest squad for instance and Jack Colback previously.

Verdict – not good enough.
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Andy Carroll

Andy Carroll is a frustrating player to have in your side. Injured one week, unplayable the next, lackadaisical and wasteful the next and then injured again.

Carroll, if he stays fit, could prove to play a pivotal role in the England squad; namely that of an alternative dimension impact sub.

Realistically we are not going to be able to beat the likes of Spain, Germany, Italy or Brazil with passing football.

However, how many continental defenders are able to cope with an in-form, fit Andy Carroll when the ball is in the air?

It might be worth England gambling on the big man but it would be a risk that I personally think Hodgson would shy away from.

Verdict – Outside chance.
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