West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has claimed that Stewart Downing deserves a recall to the England squad.

The 30-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to the season for the Hammers after being deployed in a more central midfield role.

Downing last played for England back in 2012, but Allardyce believes that Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson should select him for the team's upcoming matches against Slovenia and Scotland.

"If England need a central midfield player either in a three or in the hole, it's well worth looking at him," he told the club's official website. "We told him he should have a go in the new role and try to express himself a bit more.

"It doesn't matter whether people mark him or don't mark him, he can go either way. He can twist or turn and get his way out of trouble and start running at people's back fours, which is better than running at full-backs."

Downing has scored two goals in 11 games for West Ham so far this season.