Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin received his first England call-up yesterday when he was named in their 24-man squad for next month’s friendly against Ireland and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia.

The 25-year-old, who has scored 17 Premier League goals this season despite QPR failing to avoid relegation, is joined by two other new faces – Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy and Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton – in manager Roy Hodgson’s squad.

Austin has enjoyed a remarkable rise through the English football pyramid after working as a bricklayer and playing in the minor leagues with the likes of Kintbury Rovers, Hungerford Town and Poole Town.

“This is a strong squad and I’m pleased to welcome the three newcomers,” Hodgson told a news conference.

“We have always had our eye on Austin but up to this point we have had the full quota of forward players. He will get an opportunity to show us what he can do in training and in matches, though I can’t promise him a game.

“I am pleased to welcome him into the fold. I have heard good things about him.”

England play Ireland in a friendly in Dublin on June 7 before facing Slovenia in Ljubljana on June 14.

Hodgson’s men top Euro qualifying Group E with 15 points from five matches.

England squad

Goalkeepers: Green (QPR), Hart (Man. City), Heaton (Burnley).

Defenders: Bertrand (Southampton), Cahill (Chelsea), Clyne (Southampton), Gibbs (Arsenal), Jagielka (Everton), Jones (Man. United), Smalling (Man. United).

Midfielders: Barkley (Everton), Delph (Aston Villa), Henderson (Liverpool), Lallana (Liverpool), Mason (Tottenham Hotspur), Milner (Manchester City), Sterling (Liverpool), Townsend (Tottenham), Walcott (Arsenal), Wilshere (Arsenal).

Forwards: Austin (QPR), Rooney (Man. United), Vardy (Leicester), Welbeck (Arsenal).

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