By Frank McAvennie

15th Sep, 2023 | 9:41am

West Ham star tipped to replace Kalvin Phillips after what expert spotted

West Ham star James Ward-Prowse should replace Kalvin Phillips in the England set up.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hammers striker Frank McAvennie said Gareth Southgate is only picking Phillips because of favouritism.

The 27-year-old started Tuesday night’s (12 September) friendly against Scotland but was an unused substitute in the Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine last week (9 September).

Phillips played the full 90 minutes in the 150th anniversary game but struggled to make an impact on the side in their 3-1 win.

The midfielder has made just one appearance for City this season, a six minute cameo in their 5-1 win over Fulham.

Despite an explosive start to life at West Ham, with five goal contributions in four games, Ward-Prowse was left out of Southgate’s squad for the recent international matches.

McAvennie insisted there could have been no footballing reason for Ward-Prowse’s exclusion from the squad.

“England played with ten men because Phillips was not anywhere near the ball,” he told Football Insider.

“Phillips is nowhere near match fitness and I just do not understand why Southgate is playing someone like that. Ward-Prowse could fit into that system any day of the week so I do not get it.

“He has got his favourites but England were playing with ten men because Phillips is a yard off it and that is because he has not played. There is a big difference between playing in training and playing in a game.“

In other news, West Ham stance on accepting ‘huge’ Nayef Aguerd offer in January.