Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin has admitted that he is hoping to follow the example set by Rickie Lambert ahead of his first season in the Premier League.
Lambert has managed to climb up the leagues to achieve success in the top tier with Southampton while also becoming a member of the England World Cup squad, and Austin believes that he can do the same after helping QPR secure promotion.
"I look at Rickie and how he has played his way through the lower leagues up to the England squad and it gives me a lot of encouragement," the 24-year-old told the Evening Standard.
"He has done so well in the Premier League and been rewarded with a chance for England. He is now in the World Cup squad. I'm sure he wouldn't have thought it was possible when he first got there but he showed what he can do and I am aiming to do the same.
"As a kid I dreamed of playing for my country like anybody else. Firstly I have to put in good performances in the Premier League and then who knows what will happen."
Callum Mulvihill
