Berahino wants to repay England's faith in him

The 21-year-old has scored seven goals in ten Premier League matches for the Baggies this season and has now been rewarded with a first senior call-up for the forthcoming games against Slovenia and Scotland.

Former Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing is also in the squad, recalled after an absence of two-and-a-half years.

Downing, whose last cap came in May 2012, has forced his way back into Hodgson’s plans thanks to a string of impressive recent displays for West Ham.

The 30-year-old has proved something of a revelation in a new central-midfield role this season, and while he is unlikely to feature in next weekend’s Euro qualifier with Slovenia, he could find himself winning his 35th cap when England travel to Hampden Park to take on Scotland in a friendly a week on Tuesday.

Berahino has quite a back story, having fled the family's war-torn homeland of Burundi to join his brother, sisters and mother in England, where he was granted political asylum. The family settled in the Newtown area of Birmingham before his promise was given a platform in West Brom's academy.

Berahino was part of the successful England side at the 2010 Under-17s European Championship but cannot wait to make the most of his opportunity with the seniors, who are at Wembley next weekend for their Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia before heading to Scotland for a friendly.

"This country gave me a second chance in life. I came to this country and it has provided me and my family with a safe place, and a better place to live in. It has given me a chance to perform what I want to achieve in life," Berahino said.

"I feel very lucky that my family and West Bromwich Albion have looked after me and guided me.

"I will be very proud and honoured to represent England."

Berahino is in line to become West Brom's first outfield England international since Steve Hunt, who played against the Soviet Union in June 1984.

He added: "I remember coming home and seeing I had got my first-ever call up for England as a schoolboy - I was excited then and I am excited now.

"It will be a very emotional experience for me - if selected, I will play with all my heart."

England manager Hodgson admitted Berahino had been in his thoughts ahead of last month's Euro 2016 qualifying double-header against Estonia and San Marino.

Now the boss believes the timing is right for Berahino to make the step up.

"It is everything he has done since the start of the season, for West Brom and also for our under-21 team. He has been a key figure," Hodgson said.

"He has been able to keep his West Brom place, he has been able to score goals, albeit a number of them have been penalties, but even taking penalties shows a degree of maturity and confidence we appreciate.

"I am just pleased for him, because I know how much football means to him.

"I was pleased that he, in his interview the other day, made it clear how important England and English football has been to him and his family.

"It is a really nice story and now it is up to him to show he can make this step up, but I am happy to give him the chance."

Michael Carrick and Stewart Downing were the other surprise inclusions in Hodgson's 26-man squad.

Manchester United midfielder Carrick was left out of the World Cup squad and has only just returned from an ankle injury he suffered in the summer.

Downing, whose last cap came in May 2012, has earned a recall after impressing for West Ham this term.

Captain Wayne Rooney is likely to earn his 100th cap against Slovenia at Wembley.

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott is recalled after recovering from a knee injury that kept him out for 10 months and Everton's Ross Barkley is back after missing the last two get-togethers with a knee injury.

Hodgson opted to omit Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, who is suffering from a calf problem.

Reds full-back Glen Johnson has been left out even though he returned to action last month following a thigh injury.

"I have Nathaniel Clyne at the moment and Calum Chambers. Calum did well I thought in the last couple of games and also Nathaniel Clyne," said Hodgson.

"Glen Johnson is in the situation with Liverpool where he sometimes plays and sometimes doesn't, so I prefer this time certainly to stick with the two younger guys and they won't let me down."

England squad

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Ben Foster (West Brom), Joe Hart (Manchester City).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United, Stewart Downing (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).

Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Welbeck (Arsenal), Saido Berahino (West Brom).