Harry Kane gets first England call-up, Ashley Young misses out

Harry Kane

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has received his first call-up to the England squad ahead of this month's games against Lithuania and Italy.

Kane, who has scored 16 goals in the Premier League this season, is joined in the squad by Spurs teammates Andros Townsend and Kyle Walker but there is no place for left-back Danny Rose or midfielder Ryan Mason.

Asked if he was excited by the emergence of Kane, Hodgson told a news conference: "Yes, I think the whole country is really.

"His rise has been fantastic since he broke into the Tottenham team. We're delighted to welcome him into the fold and try to help him to establish himself.

"What he can do on a football field is clear for all to see because he's been doing it week in and week out for Tottenham and he deserves his chance."

England face Lithuania in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday March 27 before heading to Turin to take on Italy in a friendly on Tuesday March 31.

Kane, 21, is part of attacking quartet for those games along with captain Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck, with QPR striker Charlie Austin and Burnley's Danny Ings failing to make the cut.

Liverpool striker Sturridge has been building up his fitness after a lengthy absence but Hodgson said: "His form's getting better and better. In the last game, against Swansea, there were very good signs his sharpness was coming back."

Manchester United's Ashley Young also misses out despite his recent good form, but Michael Carrick is included in a midfield selection that also features Everton's Ross Barkley.

Others to have been left out include West Brom forward Saido Berahino, Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand, Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson and Everton defender John Stones.

England sit six points clear at the top of Euro 2016 qualification Group E, having won all four of their matches to date.