Rickie Lambert: England call for Southampton striker

04:32, 9 August 2013

LONDON. August 9. KAZINFORM Southampton striker Rickie Lambert has been called up to the England squad for their friendly against Scotland. Wayne Rooney is also included in the squad for the game on Wednesday, 14 August despite missing most of pre-season because of injury problems.

Rooney, who is reported to be keen to leave Manchester United following a bid from Chelsea, has suffered hamstring and shoulder injuries.

Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha has been promoted from the Under-21s.

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

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 £1m 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 - with 15.

England 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

Source: BBC NEWS

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