Saints forward handed first call up.
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England manager Roy Hodgson has given Southampton striker Rickie Lambert his first call up to the England national team as he is included in the squad to face Scotland on Wednesday, the Daily Mail reports.
The 31-year-old, who has been called to be included by fans and critics alike for some time now has been called up by Hodgson as he faces a shortage of options in attack.
He finished last season as the joint leading English goalscorer in the Premier League along with Frank Lampard and in the view of many has been worthy of his place within the national set up both on form and on merit.
Also, in a controversial move, Hodgson has handed a call up to wantaway Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who supposedly missed out on his club’s midweek friendly against AIK Stockholm with a shoulder injury.
Rooney is not expected to feature in United’s Community Shield Final encounter against Wigan Athletic on Sunday as he continues to try and force through a move away from the club this summer.
Manchester United new boy Wilfred Zaha has also been given a call up whilst Jermain Defoe and Danny Welbeck make up the rest of Hosgson’s forward line.
Goalkeepers:
Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City)
Defenders:
Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders:
Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Wingers:
James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Manchester United), Wilfried Zaha (Manchester United)
Forwards:
Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)