England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate has declared that he heard nothing but positive reports about Ravel Morrison before calling up the midfield starlet.

Morrison has enjoyed a breakthrough start to the season at West Ham United, which included a fine individual goal in last weekend's 3-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur.

He told Sky Sports News "There are lots of good people at West Ham that have got him in a good place.

"I think it's for us to create an environment here where he can express himself and feel comfortable, and that he can trust the people around him. He's a charming lad. Anyone who meets him would tell you that.

"How do young people learn? Unfortunately usually by making mistakes. It's what you do thereon that's important. It's lovely to see him playing the way he is."

The 20-year-old has been handed his first Under-21 call by Southgate this week ahead of European Championship qualifiers against San Marino and Lithuania.