AUSTIN, VARDY GET ENGLAND CALL UP

Jamie Vardy and Charlie Austin have been handed their first senior England call-ups for the upcoming games against Republic of Ireland and Slovenia.

However, there is no place for in-form Tom Cleverley or Ashley Young in Roy Hodgson's squad for the friendly with Ireland in Dublin on July 7 and the Euro 2014 qualifier with Slovenia seven days later.

Vardy, 28, is the big surprise, having scored four Premier League goals and contributed eight assists in 33 games for Leicester this season.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Hodgson said: "I saw Jamie Vardy at Fleetwood and players like him who like running in behind defenders are good for coaches. He's had a good season."

Austin, though, had been expected to get the call after he contributed 17 goals in the league for relegated Queens Park Rangers.

Hodgson said: "We've always had our eye on Charlie, but up to this point we haven't had the space in the squad. We'll give him every chance."

Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton is also included for the first time along with QPR's Robert Green, with both Southampton's Fraser Forster and West Brom's Ben Foster injured.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane is not included as he will be part of Gareth Southgate's side at this summer's European Under-21 Championship. 

Hodgson said that tournament had allowed others to come in, adding: "I'm pleased with the squad and pleased to welcome three people who get the chance, to some extent, due to the under-21s squad for Euros.

"Gareth Southgate was so sensible in his approach for under-21s squad. He has a group of players who have helped England qualify for the finals."

Arsenal's Danny Welbeck is included despite concerns over his knee injury and Wayne Rooney is selected even though he missed Manchester United's draw against the Gunners on Sunday with a dead leg.

Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, though, has been left out because of hamstring and groin issues, while United winger Young failed to earn a recall.

Hodgson said: "On this occasion I decided it probably wasn't the right time for Ashley Young to come back, but he has done well for Man United recently."

The England manager has retained Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason, who made his debut against Italy in March, and Southampton's Ryan Bertrand keeps his place in the squad as Everton's Leighton Baines is injured.

Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph keeps his place and is likely to feature in the double-header as Michael Carrick is absent with a calf injury.

Raheem Sterling, whose future has become the source of much debate recently, is included in the 24-man party.

England 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)