Saturday 28 March 2015 13:39, UK
QPR striker Charlie Austin says his non-selection for the England squad to play Lithuania and Italy did not come as a surprise.
The 25-year-old has been in superb form this term for the relegation-threatened London club and has 15 top-flight goals to his name, almost half of QPR's entire output (31).
And it was widely predicted that he might be handed a first international call-up for Friday's European Qualifier against Lithuania and Tuesday's friendly in Italy but, while exciting Spurs youngster Harry Kane got the nod, there was no place for Austin.
But, when asked on Soccer AM if he had expected to be picked, Austin said: "No. I think, if you look at the strikers, there are three who pick themselves. (Wayne) Rooney, (Daniel) Sturridge and (Danny) Welbeck.
"And then you are going to pick Harry Kane, the form he is in, he has been incredible this season. So no, I did not expect to be picked.
You are going to pick Harry Kane, the form he is in, he has been incredible this season. So no, I did not expect to be picked.
"They (the media outlets calling for his inclusion) do not pick the team."
Austin's rise has been meteoric, considering he was still playing semi-professional football just six years ago.
And he added: "It was my dream six years ago, to progress myself through, and try to play as high as I can.
"If you had said six years ago, 'you will be playing in the Premier League', I would have said you are being daft.
"It is every kid's dream to be a footballer and hopefully I can make the step into international football. That is what I am trying to do."
Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam was also on Soccer AM and he thinks Austin can count himself unfortunate not to have been selected by England boss Roy Hodgson.
"Sturridge got injured, so why did Charlie not get in the squad?" asked Adam.
"Obviously he has scored a lot of goals for QPR, who are towards the bottom of the League.
"If he is higher up in the League, I think he is in the squad.
"He has done a great job and he has scored different types of goals. That is what makes a top striker.
"This guy here will one day play for England, for sure."
