Jack Rodwell called up to England squad by Roy Hodgson

Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell has been called up to the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

Rodwell, 22, has suffered an injury-affected first season at Etihad Stadium but scored a double in Sunday's 3-2 defeat against Norwich.

He has been drafted in as Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley may not be able to take part in the games.

England host the Republic on 29 May before playing Brazil in Rio on 2 June.

Rodwell has two England caps, but has not played for the senior side since starting the 1-0 friendly win against Sweden in November 2011.

He has featured in only 15 games this season since making the switch from Everton last summer, after suffering a number of hamstring problems.

Rodwell missed more than three months of action with the same complaint before he came on as a late substitute in the 1-0 FA Cup victory against Stoke on 26 January.

He was then forced out of action again on 4 March after being taken off on 25 minutes in a 1-0 victory against Aston Villa.

With Jack Wilshere and Steven Gerrard both absent through injury, Rodwell joins Cleverley, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick and club-mate James Milner as the only orthodox central midfielders in manager Roy Hodgson's squad.