West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce says Stewart Downing deserves to keep his England place.

Allardyce was not best pleased with the England medical staff when they gave Downing an injection to get him through the first half of last month's 3-1 win against Scotland.

But his poor showing that night should not preclude future involvement, says his boss.

"He shouldn't have played for England because he had been injected after getting a problem with his knee," he said. "It didn't do him any favours as he wasn't 100 per cent fit. I don't think anyone should judge Stewie on what happened for 45 minutes against Scotland.

"I think he should get the opportunity to go again and if he plays like he did (on Saturday) then there are not too many playing as well as Stewart Downing at the moment in the Premier League."