Thursday 21 May 2015 14:00, UK
QPR striker Charlie Austin feels as if he is living a dream after being called into the England squad for the first time.
Austin was named as one of three uncapped players - along with Leicester's Jamie Vardy and Burnley 'keeper Tom Heaton - in Roy Hodgson's squad for the friendly with the Republic of Ireland and a European Qualifier against Slovenia next month.
The 25-year-old made a massive impact in his first Premier League season, although his 17 goals were not enough to stop QPR being relegated earlier this month.
Speaking to the club's website www.qpr.co.uk, Austin said: “It’s hard to put it into words.
“I am really pleased that I have been called up. Like everyone else, it’s something I dreamt about as a kid – but it’s one thing dreaming about it, and something else for it to actually happen.
“I have put in a lot of hard work this year, and luckily enough I have been rewarded with this call-up at the end of it.
“As a person and a player I feel I have grown up, both on and off the pitch. I have learnt a lot about myself.
“I have done everything I can to try and get into the squad, and now I’m really looking forward to it.”
“My mum started crying when I told her. She was just so pleased and overwhelmed. To be honest, I can’t really put into words how I’m feeling, it’s not really sunk in yet.”
