Berahino called up to England squad

Saido Berahino has been called up to the England squad for the first time.

Berahino has been in good form for West Brom this season, scoring seven goals in 10 Barclays Premler League matches.

And the Burundi-born 21-year-old has been rewarded by Roy Hodgson, who has included him in the squad for England's upcoming games against Slovenia and Scotland.

England manager Hodgson announced the squad at a press conference on Thursday lunch time.

Michael Carrick and Stewart Downing were the other surprise inclusions.

Manchester United Carrick was left out of Hodgson's World Cup squad and has only just returned from an ankle injury he suffered in the summer.

Downing, whose last cap came in May 2012, has earned a recall after impressing for West Ham this term.

Wayne Rooney was included in the 26-man party, which means he is likely to earn his 100th cap against Slovenia at Wembley a week on Saturday.

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott is recalled to the squad after recovering from a knee injury that kept him out for 10 months.

And Everton's Ross Barkley is back after missing the last two get-togethers with a knee injury.

Hodgson has opted to omit Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge.

He is suffering from a calf problem and has not played since he strained a thigh muscle just before England's clash with Switzerland in September.

Sturridge's Liverpool team-mate Glen Johnson has been left out even though he returned to action last month following a thigh injury.

England play Slovenia a week on Saturday at Wembley before they travel to Glasgow for a friendly against Scotland three days later.

Hodgson was delighted to have included Berahino, having overlooked him for last month's qualifiers against Estonia and San Marino.

"The reasons are quite obvious - he's done so well, not only for West Bromwich Albion but also for the under-21 team," the Three Lions boss said at a press conference.

"He's really been in good form.

"The last get-together he was obviously in our minds but we didn't choose him because of the importance of the two under-21 qualifiers against Croatia.

"But this time they only have a friendly match, so there's no reason to pass over his credentials yet again."

Hodgson said he had left a message for Brendan Rodgers about Sturridge's fitness, but that the Reds boss had not back to him.

"That was never realistic possibility," the 67-year-old said of the striker's inclusion. "He's still recovering from the calf injury he picked up. It's unfortunate. We were hoping, of course, to get him back, but it hasn't worked out.

"Our medical staff have had contact. I've left a message for Brendan. The message was that it's pretty obvious that he's not fit, and Brendan's not rung back to counter that he actually is."

Hodgson has been impressed by Downing of late and challenged the West Ham winger to seize his opportunity.

"He's had a really tremendous resurgence of form in the last few months," the England boss said.

"The last get-together we seriously considered whether we should take him. He's continued apace, so this time, in a slightly enlarged squad, I think it was the right time to ask him to come back and show us what he can do."

Hodgson was also thrilled to welcome back Arsenal forward Theo Walcott, who missed the World Cup after sustaining anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in an FA Cup tie against Tottenham in January.

"We had the misfortune to lose him for almost a year," Hodgson said. "Now he is fit again, although he is continuing with a fitness programme that we will have to make certain that we do during the time he's with us. We've given him and his club the guarantee we'll do that.

"He's really happy to be back and (Arsenal boss) Arsene (Wenger) is happy for us to take him, so that's good news all round."

Hodgson stressed Berahino would be a contender to play in the two games, rather than simply being involved to build up his experience.

"When you call players up, you call them up to play and they must come into the group believing they have a good chance of playing," Hodgson said.

"I'm sure Saido will come wanting to play and hoping to play. He faces stiff opposition. He's a bright boy and understands that.

"He's not there for the learning process. But at the age of 21 and getting his first call-up I'm sure he'll understand like we all do that he hasn't made it to Wayne Rooney status yet. But his journey starts here and we wish him well on the journey."

Tottenham's Harry Kane was another young player under consideration by Hodgson, after his run of eye-catching form.

Asked about Kane, who will remain with the England Under-21 side, Hodgson said: "If he continues to do well I think it won't be long before he's knocking very seriously on the door for a place in the senior squad."

Hodgson stressed Slovenia are a team that England will not under-estimate.

"I think they're one of our major rivals in the group. They have a very experienced team and we regard them as very serious rivals," the England manager said.

"If we can win, it would give us a bigger margin between us and them going forward and lead us into the new year in a very strong position."

Hodgson was again spurred to come to the defence of Raheem Sterling, the Liverpool winger he left out of his starting line-up for last month's Euro 2016 qualifier in Estonia.

Hodgson said Sterling had told him he was tired, which led to accusations that the 19-year-old had said he did not want to play.

Those claims have been refuted by Hodgson, who stressed again on Thursday that Sterling has been "unfairly treated".

"I'm disappointed for him and he knows that but our relationship's a very good one," Hodgson said.

"If you say there's things to learn, we will probably both learn from them, although I don't really understand how it's a clear mistake to tell the truth when you're asked questions about why you've not chosen a player.

"He did nothing wrong and I've got to be honest I don't think I did anything wrong either.

"I've great respect for Raheem Sterling. I agree with Steven Gerrard - I think he's going to do wonderful things for England in the future."