Jarrod Bowen's superb run of form for West Ham has come at an unfortunate time for the England hopeful.
Whilst the Hammers have benefited hugely from Bowen's goals and assists of late, with no England fixtures between November 15 and March 26, the 25-year-old has been unable to receive the international recognition many believe he deserves.
Bowen's form has seen Rio Ferdinand, Teddy Sheringham and Harry Redknapp, among many others, call for Gareth Southgate to select him next month. The attacker's strike against Leicester City made it seven goals in his last seven matches and his assist for the injury-time equaliser took his tally to 20 goal contributions in 29 starts this campaign.
In the last three matches alone Bowen has been responsible for ensuring the Hammers' blushes were spared against Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup, scoring the only goal of the game when his side beat Watford 1-0 and the key role in the last gasp draw at the King Power Stadium.
With Bowen having already equalled his highest ever tally of eight Premier League goals in a single campaign and his ability to seemingly play every minute for West Ham without injury or need of a rest, it is no surprise he has become a vital cog in David Moyes' Hammers team.
Moyes praised Bowen's attitude after the Leicester match when he took a nasty blow to his shin shortly before his goal.
"He took his goal brilliantly well, from the touchline it looked like he struck it lovely after a really good run to get in. He had a bad clash of shins early in the first half and I think that is why he was limping, a blow to that [area]," Moyes said.
"He is a good boy, rarely misses training and plays every game and does great numbers in every game for us with his running and his effort for us."
The manager added: "He is certainly coming up with the goals for us and we need him at the moment."
Despite not ever having received an England call-up Bowen's form has seen the odds on him making the Three Lions World Cup squad later this year slashed. Bowen is now 2/1 to make the final 23, according to BetVictor.
However, it still leaves Bowen an outsider for selection, level at 28th along with James Ward-Prowse, Oliver Skipp and Tammy Abraham.
The quartet are lagging behind Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jadon Sancho, according to the bookmaker.
With just three England camps and eight matches to be played before Southgate names his World Cup squad Bowen will need to make an immediate impact on the Three Lions boss if selected. And perhaps more importantly continue his fine West Ham form.
