West Ham United youngster George Earthy has what it takes to have a big career after what Michail Antonio said about the midfielder.

Speaking to Pro:Direct Soccer (23 October), Antonio singled out Lewis Orford and Earthy in particular as two players he thinks can rise to the very top of the ranks at the London Stadium.

Having scored his first career goal in the Irons’ 3-1 victory over Luton Town last season, Earthy was loaned out to Bristol City in the summer, but can hit the ground running upon his return to East London

Despite having made just four first-team appearances in his Hammers career, Earthy’s performances towards the back end of last season will have given fans hope that he’d play a key rol.

Antonio said: “George Earthy – he scored for us last season – he’s gone out on loan this year, but he’s quality. I think he’s definitely going to have a big career moving forwards.

“Lewis Orford, he’s quality. Midfield, he controls the game – George is a number 10 – but he’s another one that’s got good quality about him.

While 18-year-old Orford has stayed put in East London this season, and captained England under-19s on his debut for the side, Earthy was sent out on loan in the hope he’d return a better player.

However, injury has restricted Earthy to five substitute appearances for the Robins, amounting to a mere 85 minutes of action [Soccerway], and that’s hardly what the Irons hierarchy will have been hoping for.

While it’s still too early in the season to judge Earthy’s loan spell as a success or failure, his lack of action has coincided with several of the Irons’ midfielders underperforming on first-team duty.

It remains to be seen how much Earthy will figure in Julen Lopetegui’s plans going forward, but the London Stadium faithful will hope their latest academy starlet has a long career in claret and blue.

In other West Ham news, another Irons youngster will be hoping to make his way up the pecking order after signing a new deal.