Berahino in line for first England cap after call-up

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 Euro 2016 clash with Slovenia and friendly against 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 midfielder 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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

“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.”