Kevin Phillips has admitted that he has been astonished by the rapid development of West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino following his call-up to the England squad.
The 21-year-old has notched seven goals for the Baggies in the Premier League this season, after scoring just five for the club in the entirety of the previous top-flight campaign.
Berahino's form was rewarded with a call-up to Roy Hodgson's squad for their matches against Slovenia and Scotland next week.
Phillips told Sky Sports News: "No-one can deny Saido Berahino deserves his England call-up, but I must admit, I've been surprised by how much he's come on this year.
"He's the top English goal scorer in the Premier League this season and his goals-to-games ratio is excellent. The same goes for his record at under-21 level, where he's scored 10 in 10.
"The speed of his development, though, is what stands out for me. Just a couple of years ago he was out on loan at Northampton, Brentford and Peterborough – now he's got seven in 10 in the top flight."
Berahino revealed that he would be open to a move away from West Brom to secure Champions League football.
Simon Sinclair
