BURNLEY striker Danny Ings has been named in the England Under-21 squad having missed out on a call up to Roy Hodgson’s senior side.

Ings, who has scored nine Premier League goals for Burnley in his debut season in the top-flight, will join up with Gareth Southgate’s squad for games with the Czech Republic and Germany as will Clarets defender Michael Keane.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The 23-year-old had been tipped for a full England call but Hodgson elected to name just four strikers in his squad meaning West Brom frontman Saido Berahino joins Ings on Under-21 duty.

Burnley defender Keane is also included in the Under-21 squad having made 20 appearances for Sean Dyche’s side this season.

Former Burnley loanee Nathaniel Chalobah now on loan at Reading from Chelsea, and Marcus Bettinelli, who spent time on loan at Accrington Stanley from Fulham last season, are also included in the England Under-21 squad.

England Under-21s face Czech Republic on Friday, March 27, before Southgate’s men host Germany the following Monday as they prepare for the European Championships this summer.

Hodgson has only selected 24 players in his squad with just four strikers – Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney – included.

The small squad size means just two goalkeepers are picked so Clarets keeper Tom Heaton is overlooked.

An injury to Ben Foster meant that Heaton appeared to be vying with QPR stopper Rob Green for the third goalkeeper place but Hodgson has elected to pick just Joe Hart and Fraser Forster.

Three Lions boss Hodgson confirmed that Stoke's Jack Butland, who will be named in the Under-21 squad later on today, will be the third choice goalkeeper if needed.

Former Burnley striker Charlie Austin, now with QPR, also misses out.

For Tottenham striker Kane it is a first call up into the national squad having scored 26 goals in 42 matches.

Hodgson also recalled Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph but Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason misses out.

Speaking about the squad Hodgson said: "Harry Kane's rise this season has been meteroic. We know a lot about him from the Under-21s and what he can do on the pitch is clear to see.

"When you are in the squad you've got to believe you are good enough to play. Harry Kane is competing with players who won't want to step aside.

"If you want to be an international player you have to learn to marry commitments with your club and with England at important times"

England face a European Championship qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley on Friday, March 27, before travelling to play Italy the following Tuesday.

England squad:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)

 

England Under 21 squad

Goalkeepers: Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham), Jonathan Bond (Watford), Jack Butland (Stoke City)

Defenders: Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Garbutt (Everton), Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough), Carl Jenkinson (West Ham United - loan from Arsenal), Michael Keane (Burnley), Liam Moore (Brentford – loan from Leicester City), John Stones (Everton), Matt Targett (Southampton)

Midfielders: Tom Carroll (Swansea City - loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Nathaniel Chalobah (Reading - loan from Chelsea), Jake Forster-Caskey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Will Hughes (Derby County), Jesse Lingard (Derby County - loan from Manchester United), Alex Pritchard (Brentford - loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Nathan Redmond (Norwich City), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

Forwards: Patrick Bamford (Middlesbrough - loan from Chelsea), Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion), Danny Ings (Burnley), Callum Wilson (AFC Bournemouth)