LINGARD DESERVES ENGLAND PLACE – DOWNING

Stewart Downing believes that West Ham United attacker Jesse Lingard has done enough to be part of the England squad for the Euro 2020 tournament starting on Friday. Stewart Downing drummed up support for Lingard in a chat with Sky Sports.

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Blackburn Rovers midfielder Stewart Downing is certain that Lingard deserves to be rewarded with a place in the England squad after a stellar second half of the season on the back of his loan move from Manchester United.

Lingard barely played for Manchester United in the first half of the season before he joined the Hammers on loan during the winter transfer window. The England international left the Red Devils to sign for West Ham United on a short-term loan which covered the second half of the season. He was one of the best players in the Premier League during the second half of the campaign. The West Ham United attacker scored nine goals plus four assists as he helped the Hammers get over the line in their European football bid.

West Ham United secured a place in the Europa League on the final day of the season with a 3-0 win at home to Southampton. Lingard provided an assist for one of the goals.

Lingard missed out on the 26-man England squad after national team manager Gareth Southgate named his squad last week but a spot is now free after the injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Liverpool defender suffered a thigh injury in the friendly game between England and Austria earlier this week. He was subbed off in the second half of the game which ended in a 1-0 win over the Austrians thanks to the goal from Arsenal player Bukayo Saka. Saka scored his first goal for England to give the Three Lions victory at the expense of the Austrians.