Austin, Vardy, Heaton get England call-ups

Queens Park Rangers' English striker Charlie Austin dribbles the ball during their English Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Loftus Road Stadium in London on March 7, 2015. PHOTO | ADRIAN DENNIS |

By  AFP

What you need to know:

  • Queens Park Rangers striker Austin, 25, and 28-year-old Leicester City forward Vardy have been drafted into the attacking department
  • Burnley goalkeeper Heaton, 29, owes his call-up to the long-term knee injuries sustained by Ben Foster and Fraser Forster.

LONDON

Uncapped trio Charlie Austin, Jamie Vardy and Tom Heaton were on Thursday included in England's squad for next month's friendly in Ireland and 2016 European Championship qualifier away to Slovenia.

Queens Park Rangers striker Austin, 25, and 28-year-old Leicester City forward Vardy have been drafted into an attacking department depleted by Daniel Sturridge's injury and the selections of Harry Kane, Saido Berahino and Danny Ings for the England Under-21 squad.

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"For Jamie Vardy and Charlie Austin, it's a good opportunity for them to show us what they can do," England manager Roy Hodgson told a press conference at Wembley Stadium.

"I don't think anyone can deny they deserve a chance because they've had very good seasons for their clubs, often in difficult circumstances."

Burnley goalkeeper Heaton, 29, owes his call-up to the long-term knee injuries sustained by Ben Foster and Fraser Forster.

MISSED OUT

Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Michael Carrick also miss out due to injury, but there was no recall for in-form Manchester United winger Ashley Young, who last played for his country in 2013.

England play Ireland on June 7 in the first meeting between the countries in Dublin since rioting English hooligans caused a 1995 friendly at Lansdowne Road to be abandoned.

Hodgson's side then tackle Slovenia on June 14, when they will be seeking to preserve their perfect record in Euro 2016 qualifying Group E.

SQUAD

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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