Tottenham striker Harry Kane receives first England call up to face Lithuania and Italy

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has been awarded his first England call up for the upcoming European Championship qualifier against Lithuania and friendly with Italy.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has also seen his fine form rewarded with a recall to manager Roy Hodgson's squad.

Kane, 21, had been widely backed to receive his maiden call up following his spectacular club campaign, having scored 26 goals in all competitions this term.

"I think the whole country is excited about Harry," Hodgson told a press conference. "His rise has been fantastic this season. It would have been a surprise if he wasn't selected. We hope he can establish himself."

He completes a forward line up also featuring captain Wayne Rooney, Arsenal's Danny Welbeck and Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge.

England host Lithuania at Wembley on 27 March before taking on Italy in a friendly four days later in Turin.

Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne, who received his first call up for qualifiers against Sano Marino and Estonia last October, retains his spot. Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph also returns after missing November's games.

Hodgson however has opted to select just two goalkeepers in Manchester City's Joe Hart and Southampton stopper Fraser Forster.

The England boss however explained Jack Butland's participation in Friday's Under-21 game against the Czech Republic was the reason for the change.

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Man City)

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Man United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Man United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Man United), Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Man City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Man United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)