Why Roy Hodgson did not call up QPR striker Charlie Austin

At a recent gathering of select journalists, Roy Hodgson spoke candidly about the difficulties of demoting a young player once they have broken into the senior England set-up.

Hodgson and his staff believe a player’s development can be significantly damaged by dropping down to youth level because it creates mental challenges some may find difficult to overcome.

After Euro 2012, Hodgson identified several young players with the dual aim of bringing down the average age of the squad and injecting pace, dynamism and energy into England’s play.

There has always been an emphasis on the long term with Hodgson’s tenure and so it is in this context that Harry Kane was chosen by the England manager yesterday while Charlie Austin was not.

Leaving aside the debate over whether Hodgson should name five strikers instead of four — and I believe he should — Kane’s form and potential at 21 outweighs 25-year-old Austin’s more established credentials.

Those who think Austin has been omitted on the grounds QPR are not fashionable enough may have a case, especially when Manchester United’s Luke Shaw has been selected ahead of Ryan Bertrand, whose form for Southampton has been excellent.

But Shaw is part of that longer-term vision and Kane fits the same profile better than Austin. Kane is four years younger for starters and has greater versatility, given he can play as a No10 or as the main striker. Austin has scored 15 goals in a struggling side with a refreshingly direct approach and Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal (twice) and Southampton have all suffered against him. It should not necessarily be the case but perhaps a summer move up the food chain would enhance his case.

Danny Welbeck has been retained ahead of Austin despite an inferior goalscoring record because he is one of those younger players trusted over a long period — the 24-year-old already has 32 caps — and also because of his pedigree with Arsenal and Manchester United, in addition to a solid spell deputising for Daniel Sturridge.

Kane has assumed talismanic responsibility for a Spurs team fighting at the sharp end of the Premier League, plundering 26 goals in 42 games. Since England’s last outing against Scotland in mid-November, Kane has scored 16 times in 27 outings. He is the exciting — and currently the most prolific — option to partner Wayne Rooney.

Whatever happens against Lithuania and Italy, Kane should go with the Under-21s to this summer’s Euros because England have perennially suffered at major finals from a lack of tournament experience and he has already been a regular member of Gareth Southgate’s side.

He must be carefully managed to avoid fatigue but England’s strong Euro 2016 qualification position buys all parties some time. Hodgson believes Kane is the Under-21s’ present and the senior team’s future. He has earned the opportunity to join that select core of senior team youngsters ... now he must live up to the billing.