Mark Noble backs surprise West Ham defenders for England squad after Everton draw

Noble has 20 under-21 caps, but no full caps

MARK NOBLE has become accustomed to being overlooked by England.

 

It has become the norm and you wonder if the West Ham captain, once again outstanding here, will ever be handed the chance he craves on the international stage.

Noble, 28, is just hoping his fellow West Ham team-mates do not suffer a similar frustrating fate at the highest level.

Even with the spate of injuries afflicting Roy Hodgson for the friendly double-header with Spain and France, West Ham players are conspicuous by their absence in the bloated squad.

 

There is no place for Noble or defenders Aaron Cresswell and James Tomkins. Carl Jenkinson is also making a strong claim, while the fit-again Andy Carroll cannot be far away from a recall.

With West Ham riding high in the table, you sense it is now or never.

"Cresswell and Tomkins have both been great," said Noble.

"You see Tomks' last few performances especially against Chelsea and here against top, top players have both been really good.

 

Lanzini's goal gave West Ham the lead against Everton, only for Romelu Lukaku to equalise

"Even Jenkinson has been great. I don't know. We are fifth in the table so we can't be doing much wrong. Hopefully they get a shout soon.

West Ham led through Manuel Lanzini's fine curling finish before being pegged back by Romelu Lukaku's seventh goal in as many games against Slaven Bilic's men.

Everton, with the outstanding John Stones, pressed for the winner and worrying looking ankle injuries to Hammers pair Dimitri Payet and Enner Valencia meant it was the home side who were happier with the point.

 

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard praised Stones for stepping up during Phil Jagielka's injury absence and said: "I think Stonesy is a brilliant talent.

"Just to watch him, the way he glides with the ball, reads situations. He's so young. He's only going to get better and better. I think you're looking at a world-class centre-back in the next five years.

"When you have a young player who doesn't understand what pressure is, shrugs off criticism, he's brilliant. The top players, that's what in the end make them the best - their mentality."