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Sammy Happy To Have Caught Hodgson's Eye
Written by Newcastle Utd
United's Sammy Ameobi has spoken to nufc.co.uk after being named in Roy Hodgson's England under-21 squad to face Scotland next week
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
Sammy Ameobi is delighted that his strong pre-season form for Newcastle has been recognised by England manager Roy Hodgson.
The Magpies wide man has been chosen for the England under-21 squad for next week's game against Scotland - his first call-up since last November.
And, with Stuart Pearce having paid for the Young Lions' disappointing European Under-21 Championships campaign with his job in the summer, senior boss Hodgson has chosen the latest squad.
The 25-man party will report to St. George's Park on Saturday ahead of the match against the Auld Enemy at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane on Tuesday.
Hodgson will then take charge of the senior side's game against the Tartan Army at Wembley the following evening and Ameobi told nufc.co.uk: "It's great for me, growing up and wanting to play for England, that he's noticed my game recently.
"And hopefully I can impress him when we come to play.
"It's good to be back in contention. That's what I want to do and I've had a good start so hopefully I can show what I can do and hopefully I'll be in more squads to come.
"It was early last season when I last got called up but I had a little bit of a niggle in my hamstring so I couldn't do it, which was unfortunate, and then I haven't been in since then.
"So to it's good to know that they're still looking out for me and it's good to be back in the team."
Ameobi's latest fine showing came as a substitute at Rangers this week, when he set up a late equaliser for his older brother Shola, and he'd already been praised by Alan Pardew for his performances so far this summer.
The 21-year-old's last competitive appearance for the Magpies came in January and he was loaned out to Championship neighbours Middlesbrough towards the end of the campaign - a move which he believes he has benefitted from.
"I think I've had a great start to pre-season in terms of the effort I've put in," he said. "I think I've matured a lot and Middlesbrough helped a lot with that.
"But I'm just learning the game really and I'm getting back into it. It's good for me - this is just more experience and it's experience that I need.
"Getting to play games with some of the top young players in the country is something I'm looking forward to.
"Even though it's against Scotland, it's just another game for me - I'm going to put everything in if I get the opportunity to play.
"I'm going to put all my effort in and hopefully come out with a good result, and some goals, and some assists!"
The full England under-21 squad to face Scotland is: Jonathan Bond (Watford), Jack Butland (Stoke City), Sam Johnstone (Manchester United), George Long (Sheffield United), Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon), Todd Kane (Blackburn Rovers, loan from Chelsea) Michael Keane (Manchester United), Jack Robinson (Blackpool, on loan from Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Southampton), John Stones(Everton), Tom Thorpe (Manchester United), Andre Wisdom (Liverpool), Ross Barkley (Everton), Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea), Tom Carroll (Tottenham Hotspur), Will Hughes (Derby County), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City), Sammy Ameobi (Newcastle United), Thomas Ince (Blackpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Nathan Redmond (Norwich City), Raheem Sterling, Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion) Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), (Liverpool), Connor Wickham (Sunderland).