DANNY Ings is being backed to score his way into Gareth Southgate’s England squad by Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Southgate will later this month announce who he wants to play in the upcoming friendlies against Italy and Denmark.

Ings looks to be nailed on to earn a place in the Three Lions squad but Hasenhuttl reckons Saints’ next two games will give him the chance to display his talent.

He said: “I don’t think he gives himself this pressure. 

“He’s scored so many goals now and was such an important part in our winning run. 

“He doesn’t give himself any pressure. He outperformed this year with 15 goals – no one expected that. 

“If you’d told me that before the season I’d have taken it straight away. Everything else is a bonus. 

“And if he’s not in the squad he’ll keep scoring. He’s hungry and this is good.

“If there are any better players out there than Danny, he should take them. If there are not, he should take him.”

Ings handed Hasenhuttl an injury scare last week when he was unable to train until the day before Saints’ trip to West Ham.

This meant he could only be named as a substitute at the London Stadium, although he came was brought on not long after the break.

However, Hasenhuttl believes the former Liverpool man is itching to play against Newcastle this afternoon.

He added: "It was good that Danny was rested last week because the risk was too high. It was a good decision, although we missed him a little bit.

"He has trained well this week and is absolutely hungry to score again.

"We need him for important goals and he has some qualities which are special for us."

Ings has already bagged 15 Premier League goals this season which have proved pivotal in helping Saints climb the table.

The 27-year-old has gone two games without finding the back of the net which led to Hasenhuttl being asked whether he was concerned by this.

Realising it was a joke, the Austrian said: “To be honest I was also a striker and I know how nice it is when someone is counting in minutes when you last scored.

“But I see him play in every game and it’s not a question whether he’ll score again. Maybe he’ll do it in the next game.”