Antonio calls out Southgate for Ward-Prowse England omission

Michail Antonio has leapt to the defence of West Ham team-mate James Ward-Prowse after he was not included in the latest England squad.

Manager Gareth Southgate opted to call up Kalvin Phillips, Jordan Henderson and Conor Gallagher over the in-form Hammers midfielder for tonight's friendly against Australia and Tuesday's Euro 2024 qualifier versus Italy.

Ward-Prowse, 28, has been in sublime form this season after joining David Moyes' side from Southampton in the summer, registering two goals and three assists from seven Premier League appearances.

And Antonio has labelled the decision to omit him from the squad as "embarrassing" in a furious rant.

He said on The Footballer's Football Podcast: "I am upset with Southgate. 

"The stats say that Ward-Prowse is doing everything week in, week out to play for England so it is mad he has not been picked.

"I think that when you are playing at your best you should be rewarded and for me that is England. He has been unbelievable.

"I understand managers like to pick players they trust, but he has got players in there who are not even playing. I do not like that."

Ward-Prowse has 11 England caps to his name since making his debut in an international friendly against Germany in March 2017.

But Antonio claims he should not add to his collection even if Southgate chooses to select him in the future.

The Hammers striker added: "If I was James now [and got picked], I would not go.

"I am being deadly serious. There is no bigger honour than playing for your country but I would not want to play for the man. 

"Multiple times he has done everything and multiple times he has been overlooked."