Whether it was an act of contrition or simply wanting to remain match fit, West Ham’s suspended midfielder Tomas Soucek – full international and skipper of the Czech Republic – had no issues turning out for the under 21’s last night.

Previously only Michail Antonio and Lucas Fabianski had been seen in recent months dropping down to grab a game with the kids.

Many senior pros would think it demeaning to travel with, and turn out for, the under 21’s but – whether he chose or had his arm twisted – Soucek got his head down and made the trip to Reading for the 1-3 defeat in the Vertu Trophy knock-out cup tie.

In the middle of a red card three-game ban, Soucek will be wanting to retain fitness and hope to be ready for the Czech Republic’s fixtures during the international break.

Soucek needs to say match fit for World Cup qualifying

His national side take on first Croatia and then the Faroe Islands in their World Cup qualifying campaign starting in nine days’ time.

It is difficult to ignore the contrast between Soucek’s appearance and Ward-Prowse and Todibo’s absence but then, of course, we don’t know the...