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Roy Hodgson explains addition of Shelvey & Clyne to England squad

Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne has won his first England call-up for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Estonia.

Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs and Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey are recalled to the squad.

But there are only three strikers in the squad, with Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge out with a thigh strain.

England play San Marino at Wembley on 9 October before travelling to face Estonia on 12 October.

BBC Radio Solent sports editor and Southampton commentator Adam Blackmore on Nathaniel Clyne: "Clyne's biggest strength is his pace, allied to his desire to get forward down the right wing. While he lacks height at set-pieces, his speed makes him hard to get behind and enables him to recover quickly when beaten."

Arsenal's Danny Welbeck, Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Liverpool's Rickie Lambert are the only three forwards in Roy Hodgson's 21-man squad.

Sturridge has missed Liverpool's last six games since being injured on England duty in September.

England manager Hodgson said of Sturridge's absence: "It's a great blow to us, Liverpool and the player, because he was anxious to be a part of these two games."

The 23-year-old Clyne, who has featured for England at Under-19 and Under-21 levels, has helped Southampton climb to second in the Premier League table, appearing in all six games this season.

Nathaniel Clyne facts Aged 17, he makes first-team debut for Crystal Palace in the 3-0 win over Barnsley on 18 October 2008 Joins Southampton on a four-year contract in July 2012 Plays every one of Palace's 46 league matches in 2010-11 and receives first call-up to England Under-21s Starts 34 of Southampton's 38 Premier League matches in 2012-13 and plays for England Under-21s at the European Championship in Israel

The full-back started his career at Crystal Palace before joining the Saints in July 2012.

"I'm delighted to get the England call-up, it's a proud moment for me and I can't wait to get started," said Clyne. external-link

Hodgson added: "He has impressed us for quite a while, even before the World Cup he was a name we were constantly considering.

"Now of course we have lost Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker and we were looking for another candidate for the right-back post and Nathaniel has been asked to come."

Shelvey call 'excellent for Swansea'

Shelvey, 22, has not played for England since making his debut as a substitute against San Marino in a 5-0 World Cup qualifying win two years ago while at Liverpool.

"Jonjo Shelvey is always in our thoughts but has been playing well and could suit the way we want to play," Hodgson added.

Gibbs, 25, has three senior caps but has not featured for England since playing in the 1-0 defeat by Germany in November 2013.

Hodgson also has only three recognised centre-backs in his squad.

But the England boss said Arsenal defender Calum Chambers, named in the Under-21 squad for the Euro 2015 play-off with Croatia, would be called up in the event of any withdrawals.

"Calum would be the next one to come in but at the moment is 'loaned out' to the Under-21s," said Hodgson.

Rodwell aiming for England recall

The Football Association has also announced a friendly with Italy on Tuesday, 31 March 2015.

The Azzurri will entertain England at a venue to be confirmed, while Wembley will host a return match, on a date to be confirmed, during the qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup.

"After managing in Italy with Inter Milan, it will be a fantastic experience for me personally to go back to Italy and manage England," Hodgson said.

England opened their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win away to Switzerland on 8 September.

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), John Stones (Everton)

Midfielders: Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)