Jamie Vardy has admitted that he was "in shock" upon learning that he had been included in Roy Hodgson's latest England squad.
The Leicester City midfielder is one of three uncapped players to feature in the 24-man squad for next month's Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia and a friendly with the Republic of Ireland.
The 28-year-old told the club's website: "I was in shock. That's the only way I can describe it. I wasn't expecting it one bit. I got a text message while I was out doing my holiday shopping, which I've had to put on hold.
"To be honest it's not really settled in yet, I'm still trying to get my head around it. The battery on my phone died very quickly after the squad got released and I didn't charge it up again until I got to bed that night.
"I didn't take much notice of the talk at all. I found out that the England manager had been to the Southampton match but you'd have thought he'd have been watching Southampton's England internationals who have already played for their country, so I took no notice of it whatsoever."
Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin and Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton are also called up for the first time.
Sian Cowper
