Southampton pair called up to England squad

The Southampton pair Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana have been handed surprise call-ups to Roy Hodgson's England squad for the friendlies against Chile and Germany next week.

The 24-year-old striker Rodriguez has scored three goals in the Premier League this term and joins his club strike partner Rickie Lambert in the squad.

The former Burnley player Rodriguez has made one appearance for the Under-21s, away in Italy in 2011, while the midfielder Lallana has figured at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 level and was also called up to the senior squad for last year's game against Ukraine although he did not win a cap.

Hodgson said of their inclusions: “Adam was with us once a long time ago but he came in late and didn’t play, but we did see him in training. We’ve been following him very closely and he’s played a major part in Southampton’s rise to the top this season. It was quite obvious we would pick him.

"When it comes to Rodriguez, Danny Welbeck at the moment has been injured. We hope he'll be fit to play but I see in Rodriguez someone who could fill that Welbeck role. He's a wide forward who likes to go forward and attack people even without the ball and get in the penalty box. We think he's played well for Southampton and think this might be an interesting opportunity for him."

Hodgson has also recalled the Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, who last played for England at Euro 2012. Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been included despite fears over his ankle injury while his fellow Gunner Kieran Gibbs also gets a recall.

As expected, the Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster is included and he will challenge Joe Hart for the number one spot. Norwich's John Ruddy is England's third goalkeeper the 28-man squad.

Hart has come under fire in recent weeks after a number of errors which have cost him a place in Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City starting line-up.

“He will start one of two games, yes,” the manager said. “But I don’t think he’ll start both. It’s important for me to look at one of the other goalkeepers, possibly both. But I can say Joe will definitely start one of the games as he’s our number one goalkeeper.”

However, Hodgson refused to criticise Pellegrini’s decision to keep Hart on the sidelines for City’s last three matches. He said: “Every manager must manage his club in the way he thinks is the best way to manage the club and make the decision regarding players that he must make.

“I do the same thing. As far as I’m concerned I look at the English goalkeepers who are available and then I choose the ones I want. Having chosen the ones I want, I then pick the one I think is best to play in goal. Up to now that’s been Joe Hart and will continue to be so, certainly for these games. Manuel Pellegrini at Man City is totally entitled to do the job he wants to do with the club.”

Captain Steven Gerrard is named in the squad despite a recent hip problem.

England squad

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Kieran Gibbs, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker

Midfielders: Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Andros Townsend, Jack Wilshere

Forwards: Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck

Guardian Service