Downing has already represented the three Lions on 34 occasions but his last call-up was in May 2012.
Speaking to West Ham TV, Downing admitted he hadn’t been expecting the phone to ring. “I’m obviously over the moon. If I was being honest I didn’t think I’d get picked, so to get picked is obviously a big thing for. I just need to keep playing well for West Ham and hopefully I’ll get a couple more caps when I get away.
“These are very big games. Slovenia is a qualifier and you could say Scotland is a friendly, but I don’t think we’ll class it as a friendly. It’ll be a tough game, but is one we want to win. I’m looking forward to being involved. I want to be involved, get a few more caps and put some performances in.
“I think a few players will think they deserved a call-up, including a few of the lads here who have been playing well. It’s obviously difficult for the England manager to pick 20-odd players out of the whole country and I understand that.
“The way I’ve been playing and performing, I thought I was in with a chance and credit to the manager because he has picked me. He has obviously been watching our games and now I just need to put a performance in and stay in the squad, really.”