Managers so proud as their boys get the call from Sven...

Managers so proud as their boys get the call from Sven in his latest England squad....

Southampton manager Gordon Strachan hailed James Beattie's England call-up as 'deserved' after he was one of several uncapped youngsters named by Sven Goran Eriksson in the squad to face Australia at Upton Park on Wednesday.

Beattie has scored 17 goals this season - the top English marksman in the Premiership - and Strachan said: "He deserves it for his character alone. He was sold by Blackburn early in his career but has bounced back from that.

"I am delighted to see my players further their careers and representing your country is in that category."

Beattie was sold by his hometown club Blackburn Rovers after making only one first-team appearance but has blossomed on the south coast with Southampton. Speculation has been rife this season that he would get his England chance although Beattie himself said after his dream came true: "I never assumed I would be picked even though I've scored goals regularly this season.

"I'm aiming to put forward a good account of myself and make a few more squads."

Beattie is a traditional centre-forward in the Alan Shearer mould, good at holding the ball up and using his strength besides his goalscoring qualities.

"James is not a type of centre-forward that really catches the eye, it is quite simple - when he is full of confidence he scores goals," said Strachan.

At 17, Wayne Rooney also received his first England call up although his Everton manager David Moyes hoping his player doesn't have too much pressure heaped on him.

"Everyone at Everton is delighted for Wayne about being called up. His development has come quickly. He has not played that many games for Everton and I think it is a credit to himself how quickly he's progressed.

"He still has a lot to do and a lot to learn and we have tried to bring him on as slowly as we can, but his talent is there to be seen by everybody and we're pleased for the boy. It is only the start of a long road for the boy."

Paul Konchesky told TheFA.com on Friday how he was hoping his best pal Scott Parker would make the England squad. In the event, both Charlton players made it - which helps Konch out with one problem.

"I used to room with Scotty for the under-21s and had nobody to share with in the last game," he said.

"I've known Scotty since we were 15 - I've always known he can change games by doing something special during a match."

By Joe Bernstein