Jarrod Bowen has been backed to be a key player for West Ham United when the Premier League returns.
That's the view of Hammers' first team coach Billy McKinlay, who has been full of praise for the 25-year-old after his goal for West Ham in their mid-season friendly with Fulham at Craven Cottage, which finished 1-1.
Bowen produced a fine finish to beat Marek Rodak on the hour mark, showing composure in front of goal as he capitalised on an opportunity presented to him after Flynn Downes' tackle on Tosin Adarabioyo.
READ MORE: West Ham player ratings as Jarrod Bowen earns his reward with goal in friendly draw with Fulham
The former Hull City man was pushed further forward early on in the contest after Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca went off injured, with Bowen causing problems for the Fulham defence and going close to scoring twice before he did find the target.
And McKinlay is hoping that Bowen can find the net on a more regular basis in the second half of the season, after scoring five times in 21 appearances in all competitions to date this term, compared to 18 goals in 51 games for the Hammers last season.
Speaking to football.london, McKinlay said: "I thought it was a good finish and he did well second half. We created a number of chances and it is always good for the strikers to score goals.
"He scored one at Cambridge and obviously here [at Fulham], and that's what the front boys like, they love scoring goals. He has obviously not scored as many as he did last year, but hopefully that will change in the second half of the season.
"He is a key player and he has been brilliant since he has been at the club. We know he has got goals in him and we know he is a big influence on others and I am sure we will see that coming up."
Bowen's form last term earned him his first call-up to the senior England squad, with the West Ham forward making four appearances for Gareth Southgate's Three Lions at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
He was not, however, selected for the World Cup squad, but McKinlay has backed him to put the disappointment behind him and shine for West Ham when competitive football returns after Christmas, with a trip to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium up first on Boxing Day.
"We don't think he has got anything to prove, and I am sure that 60,000 West Ham fans wouldn't think that either," McKinlay added. "Hopefully he has not taken that too much to heart, it is the first big disappointment he has had.
"But he is not the type of boy who shows it, he works hard and what you get is what you see with Jarrod, real good quality, 100 per cent commitment and I am sure he will be a big player for us coming up."
READ NEXT
West Ham face anxious wait over Gianluca Scamacca news amid injury updates ahead of Arsenal test
- Man United boss Erik ten Hag makes surprise West Ham Premier League claim amid Arsenal verdict
- 'I knew' - Jesse Lingard admits reason he signed for Nottingham Forest amid West Ham interest
- Morocco boss explains reason Nayef Aguerd missed France semi-final after being named in line-up
- Sao Paulo defender Luizao breaks silence as West Ham January transfer edges closer
