Allardyce Tips Hammers Midfielder to Usurp Wilshere From World Cup Squad

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce believes Ravel Morrison can beat Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere to a place in England's 2014 World Cup squad, despite Roy Hodgson admitting no new faces will be called up for next summer's finals in Brazil.

Morrison has scored five goals in 12 appearances this season for the Hammers,while his impressive performances have also earned him a maiden cap for the England Under-21's.

With England having qualified for next year's World Cup after two wins over Montenegro and Poland in October, speculation has surrounded which players could make a late foray into Hodgson's thinking, with Morrison among the candidates after impressing in his breakthrough season with West Ham.

Midfield is naturally among the most competitive positions in Hodgson's squad and Wilshere, who picked up an ankle injury after appearing as a late second half substitute in defeat to Germany on Tuesday, was left out of last month's vital qualifiers and performed poorly against Chile last week.

After Arsenal signed Mathieu Flamini and Mesut Ozil in the summer transfer window, Wilshere is anything but guaranteed a place in Arsene Wenger's first-team also, and coupled with constant injury concerns, Allardyce expects Morrison to beat the Gunners midfielder to the final spot in England's squad.

"It's a long way between now and the World Cup squad being picked," Allardyce said. "He's going to have to continue his improvement to be - or have any chance of being - considered for that squad of players going to the World Cup.

"It's a nice goal for him; I don't think there is anything wrong with that dream. Without dreams you can't be successful trying to achieve those dreams. He can make that dream a reality.

"Not too many people reach their ultimate goal in life. When you have that chance, if you are dedicated enough in your time on and off the field then you can get there."

The West Ham boss added: "With the amount of competition that Arsenal have in that position that's going to be more of a concern for Jack to play in Arsenal's team on a regular basis than thinking about the World Cup for England.

"I think if he does that he will be there. Jack Wilshere has got that final pass, the little bit of creativity, that ability to break down a defence all day long. I think he has shown that, certainly prior to the injury that he had.

"Unfortunately, because of the long-term state of that injury, he may still be feeling the effects of that and not be quite where he wants to be at the moment."

After handing first caps to Jay Rodriguez, Adam Lallana and Fraser Forster in the friendly with Chile, Hodgson said no new players would be called up for the final friendly against Denmark before he submits his squad next May.

Nevertheless, despite Arsenal boss Wenger calming fears over Wilshere's long-term injury plight, Hodgson may look to involve Morrison next summer should his impressive form for West Ham continue into the New Year.