Monday 29 August 2016 09:29, UK
West Ham midfielder Michail Antonio says he is stunned by his call-up to the England squad for the World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.
The 26-year-old has been selected in manager Sam Allardyce's first squad as England begin their campaign in Bratislava on Sunday.
Antonio began his career at Tooting and Mitcham and turned down the opportunity to play for Jamaica earlier in the year in the hope of realising his ambition of playing for England.
The Londoner, who was on target for the Hammers in the 3-1 defeat at Manchester City, is the only new call-up in the England party.
"I'm overwhelmed. I got slightly emotional when I found out," Antonio said.
"It's just one of those things that I've always dreamt of, playing for England, as a kid, so now for it to happen after I've worked my way from non-league to where I am now, I am just so happy.
"I turned down an approach from Jamaica in March and for this to happen so quickly, I'm buzzing, I just want to keep my feet on the floor.
"All I can do is go out there on the international stage and show there is a reason why the gaffer has called me up.
"I didn't think that it would happen this quick, but I always said to myself that if I could get into the Premier League and keep playing the way I do, hopefully I could get into the England squad."
