West Ham midfielder Jarrod Bowen is delighted with a first England squad call.

Bowen has been included in Gareth Southgate's squad for four 2022-23 Nations League A Group 3 ties against Hungary, Germany and Italy in June, continuing Bowen's incredible rise from non-league to the brink of international football.

“It's unreal!" he beamed. “I've had a good season and a good couple of years, and I've always wanted to play for England, but getting to the national team is harder than almost anything else in football, so for it to happen is the icing on the cake.

“The media had been saying I was in the frame, and that's all good, but you've got to do it week-in, week-out and show the manager why you deserve to get the call-up. It wasn't until Gareth Southgate called me and I saw my name on that squad list that I knew it was official and I could believe it!

“I knew I was close in March but then I got injured, so I missed out. I was hoping to get the call so I didn't plan a holiday on the off chance, came home to Herefordshire and that meant I could enjoy the moment with my family and friends.

“I never thought that two years down the line from signing for West Ham that this would happen, but my mentality has always been that nothing is too far away. Now, I need to come in, hit the ground running and show Gareth Southgate and his staff what I am all about."