Charlie Austin and Jamie Vardy named in England squad to face Ireland and Slovenia

Austin could make his England debut next week. Credit: PA

Roy Hodgson has named uncapped strikers Charlie Austin and Jamie Vardy in his England squad to face Ireland and Slovenia.

Austin has already bagged 17 goals for relegated QPR this season, and Vardy impressed for the Foxes as they miraculously escaped the drop. Both men were playing non-league football less than six years ago.

There was also a first call-up for Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

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

Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been left out because of hamstring and groin issues.

Hodgson has opted against calling-up Ashley Young despite the winger's excellent recent form for Manchester United.

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 to face the Republic of Ireland on June 7 and Slovenia on June 14 is as follows:

Green (QPR), Hart (Man City), Heaton (Burnley); Bertrand (Southampton), Cahill (Chelsea), Clyne (Southampton), Gibbs (Arsenal), Jagielka (Everton), Jones (Man Utd), Smalling (Man Utd); Barkley (Everton), Delph (Aston Villa), Henderson (Liverpool), Lallana (Liverpool), Mason (Tottenham), Milner (Man City), Sterling (Liverpool), Townsend (Tottenham), Walcott (Arsenal), Wilshere (Arsenal); Charlie Austin (QPR), Rooney (Man Utd), Vardy (Leicester), Welbeck (Arsenal).