Southampton's Lambert called up for England squad

Southampton striker Rickie Lambert has been included in the England international squad by head coach Roy Hodgson for their friendly against Scotland.

Lambert, 31, scored 15 goals as he played in the English Premier League for the first time last season after having spent much of his career in lower divisions, reports Xinhua.

He began his career at Blackpool but was released on a free transfer in 2000. The forward went on to play for Macclesfield, Stockport, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers before joining then-League One side Southampton for one million pounds in August 2009.

Lambert's goals helped them win successive promotions and he went on to play a key role for the Saints in the top flight. He finished last season as the joint leading English goalscorer in the Premier League along with Frank Lampard.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Jack Wilshere, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young, Wilfried Zaha.

Strikers: Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck.