Harry Kane has received his first senior call-up to the England squad for the upcoming fixtures against Lithuania and Italy.
The Tottenham striker has been in superb form throughout the season, scoring 26 goals in all competitions. England manager Roy Hodgson had already hinted prior to today’s announcement that the 21-year-old was in his thinking.
However his Tottenham team-mate Ryan Mason misses out, despite much speculation he could be in line to win his first cap.
Manchester United winger Ashley Young aiso also excluded misses out despite becoming an increasingly important member of Louis van Gaal squad at Old Trafford.
Another who may feel aggrieved is Robert Green. Ben Foster, the West Brom keeper and Hodgson’s regular No 3, is out injured but rather than bring Green back into the fold, Hodgson has simply named just two stoppers in his squad. Tom Heaton, at Burnley, was another option as the only English goalkeeper regularly playing in the Premier League.
England play Lithuania at Wembley in a Euro 2016 qualifier a week on Friday and then meet Italy for a friendly in Turin the following Tuesday.
In the midfield department, Fabian Delph keeps his place in the squad and Michael Carrick comes back into the side following England’s most recent fixtures against Scotland and Slovenia.
However it is the appearance of Kane in the squad that will generate the most interest and sees the Tottenham striker win the battle to be included alongside regulars Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck. Hodgson’s other options included Burnley’s Danny Ings, West Brom’s Saido Berahino and QPR striker Charlie Austin.
The notable currently injured players are Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Andy Carroll and Foster.
ENGLAND SQUAD…
Goalkeepers
Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Defenders
Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders
Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
Forwards
Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)
