Maidstone defender Callum Driver played for new England boss Sam Allardyce - and says the national team have never had anyone like him.

Driver was a young right-back at West Ham when he was handed his debut by Allardyce in an FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest two years ago.

He was one of the few players to emerge with credit from the Hammers’ 5-0 third-round defeat as Allardyce showed the ruthless streak that Driver feels makes his old boss the man to revive England’s fortunes.

Driver said: “It’s a good job for him. He’s a thorough manager who goes through a lot of set-pieces and things like that, so it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on.

“I don’t think England have had a manager like him yet.

“He doesn’t take any rubbish from anyone. He’ll be pretty ruthless.

“The way he comes across is pretty much how he is behind the scenes. Very ruthless is the way I’d describe him.

“He’ll tell you if you’re doing something wrong and I think that’s the best way to be sometimes.

“You know where you stand, you know what he wants from you, I think him in that job with a certain team around him will do well for England.

“Having an Englishman taking the national team is probably a better thing, it gives us a bit more passion behind it and I think he’ll care a little bit more.”