Aaron Cresswell’s first England call-up has been a long time in the making.
The West Ham United left-back has impressed in a competitive position for a while, and was expected to make Sam Allardyce’s first international squad if he hadn’t picked up a serious injury in pre-season.
Since returning to action, former Ipswich man has played as if he’d never been away, and he has been rewarded with a call-up from Gareth Southgate after Danny Drinkwater withdrew from the squad through injury.
Cresswell has been used as a wing-back by Slaven Bilic this season, suggesting he may get an opportunity in front of either Danny Rose or Ryan Bertrand for England’s upcoming games against Scotland and Spain.
Jordan Pickford of Sunderland has also been brought in to the squad after goalkeeper Fraser Forster also pulled out through injury.
📣 SQUAD UPDATE 📣
➡ @Aaron_Cresswell
➡ @JPickford1
⬅ Danny Drinkwater
⬅ @FraserForster #threelions pic.twitter.com/zBKo8vJtje— England (@England) November 7, 2016
“Of course, I am delighted to receive a call-up and it’s a very proud moment for me and my family,” Cresswell is quoted as saying by West Ham’s Twitter account.
“It is every boy’s dream to play for their country and I am looking forward to the next two weeks,” added the player, who was said to be “buzzing” at the news.
“I just want to enjoy the experience and do my best in training and if I can do that, then I hope I can achieve my dream.”
While fans of the London club have been banging the drum for Cresswell for some time, supporters of other clubs have also suggested it’s about time the Liverpool-born defender got his chance.
https://twitter.com/DHowker_93/status/795735635231461376
Aaron Cresswell in the England squad! Well deserved! #itfc @Aaron_Cresswell
— Luke Friend (@Luke8644) November 7, 2016
It is about time Aaron Cresswell got international recognition.
— Lewi Smith (@kinglewimcmxc) November 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/Martin_whufc/status/795733621760000000
Of course, the extra attention brought by an international bow might put him in the shop window, and some are a little nervous.
https://twitter.com/Brad_Pinard/status/795729909004070912
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