Jay Rodriguez Included in England Squad To Face Germany & Chile

With Danny Welbeck picking up an injury, there was a forwards spot up for grabs. Roy Hodgson has decided to call up Saints forward Jay Rodriguez to fill the void, confirming that he sees him playing a similar role to Welbeck. Recently Welbeck as played left midfield, in a more advanced role supporting the forwards Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge.

It's a surprise call for Rodriguez who started his footballing career at Burnley, his hometown team. Despite short spells on loan at Stirling Albion and Barnsley, it was his play for Burnley that earned him a £7m move to Southampton in June 2012. In his first year at Southampton he made 37 appearances scoring 9 times. So far this season he has 12 appearances and scored 4 goals.

According to football statistics website Squawka, Rodriguez has created 6 chances in the Premier League to go along with his 3 goals (one of his goals came in the League cup).

Speaking to the BBC, Hodgson confirmed why he had selection Rodriguez:

"[Manchester United forward] Danny Welbeck has been injured - I see in Rodriguez someone who could fill that Welbeck role," said Hodgson.

"He's a wide forward who likes to go forward and attack people even without the ball and get in the penalty box."

We will have our full thoughts on the squad up tomorrow. In the meantime, here is the squad that was announced today:

Goalkeepers

Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy.

Defenders

Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Kieran Gibbs, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders

Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Andros Townsend, Jack Wilshere.

Forwards

Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck.