West Brom forward Saido Berahino hopes he can repay England for giving him a “second chance in life” by helping fire Roy Hodgson’s side to Euro 2016 glory.
The 21-year-old has scored seven goals in 10 Premier League matches for the Baggies this season and has now been rewarded with a first senior call-up for the forthcoming games against Slovenia and Scotland.
Berahino has quite a back story, having fled the family’s war-torn homeland of Burundi to join his brother, sisters and mother in England, where he was granted political asylum.
The family settled in the Newtown area of Birmingham before his promise was given a platform in West Brom’s academy.
Berahino was part of the successful England side at the 2010 Under-17s European Championship but cannot wait to make the most of his opportunity with the seniors, who are at Wembley next weekend for their Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia before heading to Scotland for a friendly.
“This country gave me a second chance in life.
“I came to this country and it has provided me and my family with a safe place, and a better place to live in. It has given me a chance to perform what I want to achieve in life,” Berahino told his club’s official website.
“I feel very lucky that my family and West Bromwich Albion have looked after me and guided me.
“I will be very proud and honoured to represent England.”
Berahino is in line to become West Brom’s first outfield England international since Steve Hunt, who played against the Soviet Union in June 1984.
England manager Hodgson admitted Berahino had been in his thoughts ahead of last month’s Euro 2016 qualifying double-header against Estonia and San Marino.
Now the boss believes the timing is right for Berahino to make the step up.
“It is everything he has done since the start of the season, for West Brom and also for our under-21 team. He has been a key figure,” Hodgson said.
“He has been able to keep his West Brom place, he has been able to score goals, albeit a number of them have been penalties, but even taking penalties shows a degree of maturity and confidence we appreciate.
“I am just pleased for him, because I know how much football means to him.
“I was pleased that he, in his interview the other day, made it clear how important England and English football has been to him and his family.”
Michael Carrick and Stewart Downing were the other surprise inclusions in Hodgson’s 26-man squad.
Manchester United midfielder Carrick was left out of the 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.
Walcott recall
Captain Wayne Rooney is likely to earn his 100th cap against Slovenia at Wembley.
Arsenal winger Theo Walcott is recalled 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 opted to omit Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, who is suffering from a calf problem.
Reds full-back Glen Johnson has been left out even though he returned to action last month following a thigh injury.
The squad
Goalkeepers: Hart (Manchester City), Forster (Southampton), Foster (West Bromwich Albion).
Defenders: Cahill (Chelsea), Smalling (Manchester United), Baines (Everton), Jagielka (Everton), Clyne (Southampton), Gibbs (Arsenal), Chambers (Arsenal), Shaw (Manchester United).
Midfielders: Henderson (Liverpool), Lallana (Liverpool), Milner (Manchester City), Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Sterling (Liverpool), Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Wilshere (Arsenal), Walcott (Arsenal), Barkley (Everton), Carrick (Manchester United), Downing (West Ham United).
Forwards: Rooney (Manchester United), Welbeck (Arsenal), Lambert (Liverpool), Berahino (West Bromwich Albion).