Michail Antonio appears set to make his Premier League debut for West Ham against Newcastle on Monday night, following a less than orthodox path to England's top flight.

Antonio joined the Hammers from Championship outfit Nottingham Forrest for £4million on deadline day.

However, it was his mother Cislyn's decision not to let him join Tottenham's academy as a 14-year-old which he believes has helped him become the player he is today.

"She said education comes first," Antonio told the Daily Express.

"Did I hate her for it? You couldn't imagine. I was crying and all sorts.

"But instead I managed to get my diploma in sport and even had a place at university, so it's one of those things where everything happens for a reason.

"Loads I played with became pro players and fell out. Matthew Briggs went to school with me. He became the youngest player in the Premier League with Fulham. I think he's at Colchester now. Craig Eastmond went to school with us. He started at Arsenal, now he's at Sutton United.

"They went through the academy system and they're working their way down and I'm working my way up."

Instead of joining Spurs as a youngster, Antonio played for local club Tooting and Mitcham.

"The smallest crowd was a Tuesday night and it was like 25 people there," he said.

"We lost and by the end of the game there was no one left. I can't remember the opponents.

"It was one of the bobbliest pitches you could play on but it made me tougher. I kept pushing and pushing, trying to get harder and to get where I am now.

"It has made me hungrier and made me want to kick on. I've had to work. I used to be a life guard."