Glen Johnson gets silent treatment from Hodgson

Roy Hodgson has revealed he hasn’t called Glen Johnson to speak to him about his exclusion from the England squad.

While there have been recalls for Stewart Downing and Michael Carrick for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia and friendly in Scotland, Johnson – who has 54 caps – has been left out in the cold despite the 30-year-old returning to fitness with Liverpool.

Hodgson has opted instead for Arsenal’s Calum Chambers, 19, and Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne, 23, who both received their first call-ups last month for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Estonia.

Glen Johnson has been left out by Roy Hodgson despite returning to fitness © Getty Images

“No, I haven’t spoken to Glen,” said Hodgson.

“He has been injured for a while but I don’t always speak to players I don’t select in the squad. I prefer Calum Chambers and Nathaniel Clyne. It is a choice issue, quite simply.

“The fact is I am not writing Glen Johnson off and would never do that. I know he has not been at his best form and he would be the first to admit this. I am making a choice.

“I had Clyne last time and he didn’t play but he could well this time. Chambers did well. They are my two right-backs.”

Hodgson has also given a first senior call-up to West Brom striker Saido Berahino, the top-scoring Englishman in the Premier League with seven goals.

Berahino, 21, has moved through the England age groups after escaping with his family from war-torn Burundi as a 10-year-old, with Hodgson first noticing his talent after just a few weeks as West Brom manager in 2011.

“It was a reserve team game at the training ground,” added Hodgson. “Afterwards I said to the then sporting director Dan Ashworth, ‘I want George Thorne and Saido Berahino to train with the first team.’

“I have selected Saido for everything he has done since the start of the season, for West Brom and also for our Under-21 team.

“He has been a key figure after breaking into the West Brom team and maintaining his place despite the fact they spent a lot of money on another striker.

“I am just pleased for him because I know how much football means to him. I was pleased he has made it clear how important England and English football has been to him.

“It’s a really nice story and it’s up to him to show he can make this step up from the Under-21s. Saido is a very positive character, a mature young man, and his family are very positive.”

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