Marco Silva says Emile Smith Rowe’s Fulham form is being driven by a personal ambition to return to the England squad.
Smith Rowe joined Fulham from Arsenal in a £34million deal in the summer and has enjoyed a bright start to life at Craven Cottage, scoring twice and registering one assist in his first six Premier League games for his new club.
The versatile 24-year-old forward earned three England caps in 2021 - and scored his first international goal in a 10-0 win over San Marino - before falling down the pecking order at Arsenal.
Smith Rowe was overlooked when England interim manager Lee Carsley named his October squad on Thursday.
But Silva has revealed a return to the England fold is a priority for Smith Rowe, who has helped Fulham to sixth in the table.
“He is motivated [to return to the England set-up], definitely”, said Silva. “He’s enjoying his football, enjoying his team-mates, enjoying the way we’ve been playing.
“He fits really well in the way we want to play, fits really well in some aspects where he’s been decisive for us. He’s going to improve.
“We have to be really pleased with the impact he’s already had in our squad. But I think he is going to improve more and more and more.”
Silva added: “About the national team, of course it’s always a proud moment for any English player. We are here to help him. It has to be a goal for him, definitely.
“Some time ago he was there. It was just one or two caps, but he was there. He felt the moment for sure. It has to be a goal for him to fight for it. The competition in his position is top.
“He has this goal, and we are here to help him to reach his best level for this football club. Of course, when you play at a top level in your football club, you are always there, knocking on the door to be called up by your national team.”
Fulham travel to the Etihad on Saturday to play Premier League champions Manchester City.
“No big changes from last week”, said Silva when asked for an update on team news.
“Jorge Cuenca is still out. Carlos Vinicius is still out. All the other players are going to be available for the match.”
