Lambert maintains England ambitions

Rickie Lambert has vowed to keep pushing for a first England call-up after again being overlooked for this week's squad to face Brazil.

The Southampton striker has adjusted to Premier League football superbly after spending most of his career in the lower leagues and his 11 goals make him the joint-leading English scorer in the division with Arsenal's Theo Walcott.

Lambert is ahead of Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck, all of whom have made Roy Hodgson's squad for Wednesday's friendly at Wembley. The 30-year-old revealed he has not been contacted by any of the England staff despite his form, and said: "I was disappointed (not to be in the squad)."

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