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Berahino and Walcott picked for England squad

Saido Berahino has made a fine start to the season at West Brom © Getty Images

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Saido Berahino, Stewart Downing and Theo Walcott have been named in the England squad for the forthcoming matches against Slovenia and Scotland.

However, Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has been left out as he continues his recovery from a calf injury.

England host Slovenia on November 15 at Wembley as they look to maintain their 100% start in Euro 2016 qualification group E, and then head to Celtic Park to play Scotland in a friendly three days later.

• England to beat Slovenia 3-0, at 13/2 with bet365*
• For full odds visit www.bet365.com >>
• *All odds correct at time of publishing.

Berahino had been widely tipped to be included after an excellent start to the season with West Brom, scoring seven goals - more than any other Englishman - so far.

Asked why he was selected, Roy Hodgson told a news conference: "The reasons are quite obvious. The fact that he has done so well not only for West Browmich Albion, but also for our Under-21 side.

"The last get-together he was in our minds, but we didn't choose him because of the importance of the Under-21 qualifiers against Croatia. This time they only have a friendly, so there is no reason to overlook him."

He added: "When you call players up, you need to call them up to play. They must come into the group believing they have a good chance of playing. I'm sure Saido will come wanting to play and hoping to play, but he faces stiff competition."

Downing, whose last cap came in May 2012, also makes the cut after playing a key role in West Ham's fine start to the season, while Walcott returns to the fold after 10 months out with a knee injury at Arsenal.

Michael Carrick, who missed out on a place at the World Cup, is another surprise inclusion after his return to action with Manchester United. Carrick came off the bench during United's 1-0 derby defeat at Manchester City to play at centre-back following the sending off of Chris Smalling.

Rickie Lambert keeps his place in the squad despite failing to register a goal for Liverpool this season. Hodgson said Lambert's Liverpool team-mate Sturridge was "never in contention" after his latest injury setback.

England captain Wayne Rooney is expected to earn his 100th cap for England against Slovenia.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster, Ben Foster, Joe Hart

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Calum Chambers, Nathaniel Clyne, Kieran Gibbs, Phil Jagielka, Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling

Midfielders: Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Raheem Sterling, Andros Townsend, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott

Forwards: Rickie Lambert, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Welbeck, Saido Berahino

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