England manager Roy Hodgson has stated that Danny Ings and Saido Berahino are close to earning call-ups to the national team.
On Thursday, Hodgson named his 24-man England squad for upcoming fixtures against Lithuania and Italy and while he did include Tottenham star Harry Kane as part of the contingent, Burnley's Ings and West Bromwich Albion's Berahino were the unfortunate absentees.
?Despite Ings and Berahino missing out due to the intense competition up front, Hodgson has given hope to the duo by stating that they are not too far off from earning a call up in the future.
?Hodgson said: "Obviously the competition up front is pretty strong. Apart from Harry Kane, there is Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling.
?"That's pretty strong competition and I am talking about what we regard as some of our most important players. Before I can start adding the Ings and Berahinos, there has got to be a gap somewhere. There has got to be a place for them."?
