Rickie Lambert is one of five strikers included in the England squad for their final two World Cup qualifiers, against Montenegro and Poland.

Lambert, who has enjoyed a memorable start to his international career, has been selected by the national team manager, Roy Hodgson, for the third time.

The other forwards included are Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Jermain Defoe.

England, who are hoping to book their place at Brazil 2014, host Montenegro on Friday, October 11, before welcoming Poland to Wembley on the following Tuesday.

Hodgson's men currently top Group H, but they are just a point ahead of both Ukraine and Montenegro, while Poland are just three behind.

Lambert will hope the magnificent start to his England career can continue. After scoring the winner against Scotland with the first touch of his debut, he netted once and set up two in the home qualifier against Moldova, before leading the line in Ukraine.

Goalkeeper Artur Boruc has been selected by Poland for their qualifiers, away to Ukraine on Friday, October 11, and their potentially pivotal clash with England.

Centre-half Dejan Lovren is in the Croatia squad for their final two qualifying matches, at home to Belgium on Friday next week and then away to Scotland on the Tuesday.

Croatia are second in Group A, and sure of a play-off position, but they trail leaders Belgium by five points and will need to win both upcoming fixtures to have a chance of automatic qualification.

Elsewhere, Gastón Ramírez is in the Uruguay squad for the final two matches of the South American qualification group.

Uruguay are currently fifth in the standings, a position that would ensure a play-off tie against Jordan.

However, Ramírez and Co are gunning for one of the four automatic spots available. Uruguay are level on points with fourth-placed Ecuador – who they will travel to face on Friday next week – and two behind Chile, who are third.

Uruguay will conclude with a home game against group leaders Argentina on Tuesday, October 15.

Maya Yoshida has already helped Japan secure their place at the World Cup, but the defender will still be in action in a pair of friendly matches, away to Serbia next Friday and Belarus the following Tuesday.

Saints striker Dani Osvaldo is also likely to receive a call-up to the Italy squad for their qualifiers away to Denmark and at home to Armenia. The Azzurri have already booked their place in Brazil, but will want to finish strongly.

Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis is included among the players selected for their trips to Azerbaijan and Israel.

Striker Emmanuel Mayuka, who has been loaned out to Sochaux for the season, is in the Zambia squad for their friendly against Brazil on Tuesday, October 15.

Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse have been named in the England Under-21 squad for the Euro 2015 qualifiers against San Marino and Lithuania, while full-backs Calum Chambers and Matt Targett are in the Under-19 side for the Euro 2014 qualifiers against Slovenia, Andorra and Switzerland.