DELIGHTED Chris Sutton today described his England recall by Kevin Keegan as "unbelievable" but just the kind of news he wanted to hear.

The Ewood striker, 26 last week, was handed a belated birthday present by the temporary England boss who made it clear how highly he regards the player.

And Sutton, boosted by being named for the crucial game against Poland after his international exile, said: "It really did come as a big surprise but a very nice one.

"I'm ever so pleased because, as I said last week, I didn't really expect to be called up after only just coming back from injury.

"It's unbelievable in some respects and I hope I can do myself justice, because it's a very big game for the country.

"But the main thing at the moment is to concentrate on tomorrow's game against Wimbledon.

"I'm really looking forward to playing at Ewood again. I haven't played there since I was carried off against Villa.

"We've got to try to take control from the start tomorrow and the fans can help us a lot. It's important they don't become anxious and we need to work hard and get them right behind us. "It's a really big game but we have to think that we have nothing to lose and everything to gain."

Sutton admitted the England call had given him a lift personally and Keegan clearly had no doubts about him.

"I said when I came in that it was a clean sheet of paper and Chris is proof of that. I am not going to cut off my nose to spite my face. I think he deserves a chance at this level to be in the squad," commented the England coach.

"Chris gives us options and I see in him someone who can play at this level and do a really good job.

"I walked out myself on Don Revie when he was England boss so I can't sit and start criticising too deeply other players.

"You do things like that under pressure sometimes but he has got loads of potential, some of which has still to be fulfilled and gives us different options.

"I was like everyone else and asked 'why?' when he turned down the chance with England last season but that's all in the past now. It's forgotten about as far as I am concerned."

Tim Sherwood was also named by Keegan, following his move to Spurs.

But, contrary to one report it is not the first time he has been in the squad. In fact, Sherwood was on the substitutes' bench in the game against the Republic of Ireland which had to be abandoned because of a riot.

Callum Davidson is included in the Scotland squad for their double-header with Bosnia and the Czech Republic.

Kevin Gallacher and Billy McKinlay would probably have been certain choices but for their long-term injuries.

And, as we revealed in our later editions last night, 17-year-old Burton O'Brien has been called up by the Scottish under-21s for their two games.

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