Southampton youngster Nathaniel Clyne insists he was surprised to be selected for the England squad for this week’s European Championship qualifiers.

Roy Hodgson’s squad will host San Marino on Thursday at Wembley before they travel to Tallinn on Sunday to take on Estonia.

Last Thursday Hodgson confirmed that Clyne had earned his first call-up, while he also selected Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, who has jusr one cap to his name.

Clyne has been one of the Saints best players so far this season, helping the club into third in the Premier League table.

The 23-year-old has shown his pace and attacking threat throughout the campaign to date and Hodgson has rewarded him with a place in the England setup.

He has a chance of starting the upcoming games with John Stones, Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker all injured but he has claimed he was surprised by his call-up despite his good form.

He said: “The call up still came as a surprise to me.

“I am still up and coming in the game and I still need to improve on my game. Hopefully this will be another step for me, to play for England, and hopefully I will improve.

“I am buzzing and I can’t wait to get started and join in with the lads. They are world-class players and to see what they are like in training and hopefully I can match up to that.”

England are 1.21 to win Group E with Dafabet on their way to qualifying for the European Championships in France in 2016.