Howson eyes England call-up

Norwich City midfielder Jonny Howson is hopeful that a consistent run in the Premier League could boost his chances of an England call-up.

The 24-year-old watched Roy Hodgson’s men beat Moldova and draw with Ukraine as team-mate John Ruddy sat on the bench as back-up to Joe Hart in their World Cup qualifiers.

Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling and Tottenham’s Jake Livermore were called up to the squad recently and Howson has been encouraged by youngsters being given a chance.

“It’s good that they give the younger lads a chance, but for me it’s about playing well for Norwich,” he said.

“I’m sure if you perform well in this league you will not be too far away. There are a fair few new players getting a chance for England.

“If we need anyone to take inspiration from here it is John Ruddy. Last season he had a terrific season and has been rewarded for that internationally.”

However, the former Leeds star believes playing for clubs like Norwich could mean missing out on international football, and pinpoints Grant Holt as an example of someone who has been overlooked despite being the second-highest English goal scorer behind Wayne Rooney.

“You want to play consistently because if you are doing that the team is succeeding. But if you look at Grant Holt he has been very unfortunate. He had a terrific season last season and still didn’t get the call-up which he deserved,” Howson said.

“He was the second-highest English goal scorer behind Wayne Rooney and still didn’t get a chance. What more does he have to do?

“They may be looking at the bigger clubs. If you are playing for the bigger teams maybe you do have a better chance. I’m not just thinking about Norwich but some of the lads at say Swansea have been playing great and still not got a chance.

“I don’t pick the team and can’t do anything about it although it’s something that is not impossible as John Ruddy has shown.”

Manager Chris Hughton is hopeful of a win against West Ham in the Premier League at the weekend, with Howson back in midfield, and was pleased with the performances against QPR and Tottenham.

Hughton said: “I was delighted with those performances and we should have won them on the chances we had.

“Whether it is Manchester United or anyone else we go into all of our games striving to win, particularly at home.”

Norwich go into a tough run of fixtures following West Ham, including games against Newcastle, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa and he is pleased that Andy Carroll is likely to miss out, but he has warned his players not to ignore Carlton Cole.

“They are very difficult on paper but we have to embrace them and not fear them,” Hughton said of West Ham.

“Cole has done an excellent job for West Ham. He is a difficult opponent and we will have to be at our best.”