Charlie Austin is set to be called up by England for the first time this week.

Reports suggest that Roy Hodgson will include the QPR striker in his Three Lions squad for next month's friendly with the Republic of Ireland.

It is believed that captain Wayne Rooney will be rested for the Aviva Stadium meeting in Dublin on June 7 in order to have him fully fit for the Euro2016 qualifier against Slovenia in Ljubljana a week later.

Austin had a brilliant debut season in the Premier League, scoring 17 goals for the relegated R's, and thoroughly deserves his expected call-up.