Arthur Masuaku has been called-up by DR Congo for the first time.

The West Ham United full-back has been included in the African nation’s 36-man provisional squad for two 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with Tunisia next month.

Masuaku, who was born in the French city of Lille and played U18 and U19 football for Les Bleus, switched his international allegiance to DR Congo in June.

The 23-year-old is one of seven English-based players included in Florent Ibenge’s selection, with AFC Bournemouth striker Benik Afobe and Newcastle United defender Chancel Mbemba among them.

The Leopards are on course to qualify for next summer’s tournament in Russia, having beaten Guinea and Libya in their opening two Group A fixtures, and victories over Tunisia in the back-to-back fixtures on 1 and 5 September.

DR Congo travel to Rades for the first meeting before welcoming the Eagles of Carthage to Kinshasa four days later.

Then named Zaire, DR Congo have qualified for one previous World Cup, when they lost all three group matches and conceded 14 goals without reply in West Germany in 1974.