England Supporters Club

Saido Berahino earns first England senior call-up

Posted by Team England at 12:31 on Thursday 06 November 2014

Saido Berahino has been handed his first England senior call-up after an impressive run of scoring form.

The West Bromwich Albion striker has netted eight goals in 13 outings for the Baggies this season, as well as helping England Under-21s reach the European Championship Finals.

The 21-year-old has played for England at every level since his U16s debut in 2008 and his nine goals at Under-21 level leaves him just four short of Alan Shearer's record.

His form has impressed Roy Hodgson, who has called him into his latest squad for the Three Lions' upcoming games against Slovenia and Scotland.

Hodgson has also been able to recall Arsenal forward Theo Walcott, who returned to action last weekend after missing most of this year due to injury.

Meanwhile, Manchester United's Michael Carrick and West Ham United's Stewart Downing are also back in the fold.

England meet the Slovenians at Wembley on 15 November looking to continue their perfect start to their European Qualifiers. Three wins from three games have put Hodgson's side in charge of their group, but Slovenia are hot on their heels in second spot.

Three days later they face Scotland at Celtic Park in a return friendly after the nations met under the Arch in August 2013.

Another player returning to the squad is Ross Barkley. The Everton midfielder last featured for England at the World Cup, but injury kept him sidelined at the start of this season.

The 20-year-old was back for the Toffees last month, so Hodgson includes him in his 21-man squad.

The England Squad

Goalkeepers
Fraser Forster, Ben Foster, Joe Hart

Defenders
Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Calum Chambers, Nathaniel Clyne, Kieran Gibbs, Phil Jagielka, Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling

Midfielders
Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Raheem Sterling, Andros Townsend, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott

Forwards
Rickie Lambert, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Welbeck, Saido Berahino