Jarrod set to step up

JARROD BOWEN has been banging on the England door for a good while now. And in similar fashion to how thewest Ham playmaker consistently unlocks Premier League defences, it is only a matter of time before he breaks into Gareth Southgate’s squad.

That’s the view of the Hammers’ Spain international Pablo Fornals (below) amid the growing clamour for Bowen, 25, to be given an opportunity to shine on the world stage.

A double in the midweek victory over Norwich took the ex-hull man’s tally for the season to eight.

Though he’s suddenly grabbing the headlines, Bowen has been hitting those heights throughout this campaign – and even before that – according to Fornals.

The ex-villarreal ace said: “To be fair, I’m talking about this situation now but Jarrod deserves this a long time ago, not just because he’s scoring twice in a game or giving us assists now.

“I think he deserves this since the start of the season. He’s been massive for us all this season and last season as well.

“Obviously I am not the England manager but Jarrod at least deserves a chance to wear the Three Lions and play for his country.” In contrast to Bowen, Fornals’ form was sketchy before Christmas as he became a dad for the first time. He recognises the dip but is adamant the arrival of baby Martin is the reason why he is now primed to deliver.

Fornals said: “This has changed me as a person, as a player, in everything.you have another thing to fight for.

“And you want to be a good example, always to give your best face because your child is going to learn from you.

“So I’m trying to be as good as I can in all aspects of life. It’s a big change. It’s not been easy.

“I’ve been playing less but that’s because I had to adapt to this new thing in our lives.

“Now I’m feeling really well. I’m happy to recover my best shape.”