England have announced their squad to take on the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia next month, and have handed debuts to Charlie Austin, Tom Heaton and Jamie Vardy, The FA confirm.
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Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson has selected a 24-man squad for the double header – which will take part in Dublin on June 7, and a European Championship qualifier in Ljubljana on 14 June.
And though the majority of the squad is exactly how you would imagine, there are three new names added in to the mix.
Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton, 29, does have previous international experience, having featured a number of times at youth level for England.
QPR hit man Charlie Austin has been tipped to be included in Hodgson’s plans for a while now, and though his 17 goals couldn’t help the club from sliding back towards the Championship, he has finally made it into the national side.
The biggest shock, though, is the inclusion of Leicester’s Jamie Vardy. Playing non-league football just three years ago, the 28-year-old has helped the Foxes to claim a dramatic climb to safety. However, he has managed just four goals in 33 Premier League appearances.
Goalkeepers
Robert Green (Queens Park Rangers), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)
Defenders
Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United)
Midfielders
Ross Barkley (Everton), Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Ryan Mason (Tottenham Hotspur), James Milner (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Forwards
Charlie Austin (Queens Park Rangers), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)
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