West Ham star Aaron Cresswell admits he did not expect England call-up after injury

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The Hammers star missed the first two months of the season.

West Ham United star Aaron Cresswell has admitted that he did not expect to be called up for England action this month because of the way injury delayed the start of his season, as quoted by the club’s website.

After being overlooked for Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad in the summer, Cresswell was finally handed his first call-up to the Three Lions squad by Gareth Southgate.

The recognition was just reward for his hugely impressive displays since arriving at West Ham in 2014. Cresswell missed just a single Premier League game in his first two seasons in East London.

However, an injury suffered in pre-season meant that he missed the first two-and-a-half months of the Hammers’ current campaign, only returning in mid-October.

Cresswell was called into the England squad despite that long absence after impressing greatly upon his return to action, and made his debut with an 15-minute substitute appearance in the 2-2 draw with Spain.

Speaking to the West Ham website after the game, the 26-year-old has admitted that the call-up came as a surprise to him as he thought his injury absence would have scuppered his chance.

Cresswell said: “I was obviously delighted, as it is a dream come true. Ever since I started playing football as a little boy, this is what I wanted to do, and to do it at Wembley in front of 84,000 fans, I can’t speak any higher of it. It is something I’ve always wanted to do and I’ve achieved it.

“It was slightly surprising to get the call after only playing three or four games. To get the setback in pre-season, I didn’t think I’d be involved in the England team so soon after coming back, but it’s something that I’m delighted has happened and I couldn’t be any happier.

“To be out for three months, then come back and play three or four games and be involved in the England team, I couldn’t be more delighted with it.”

Cresswell will be hoping to still fully be in contention for further England duty when the Three Lions next play again in March.

His club manager Slaven Bilic has tipped him to be a long-term fixture in the national squad, but for now the left-back must focus on his exploits with the Hammers.