Saido Berahino would love full England call

West Brom star Saido Berahino today lifted the lid on his desire to net a senior England call-up.

The 21-year-old has begun the season in excellent form, scoring five goals in the first eight games.

And he bagged his second brace of the campaign in Sunday's 4-0 thrashing of Burnley at the Hawthorns.

Head coach Alan Irvine has since tipped the striker, who has represented the Three Lions at all youth levels, to win himself a senior call-up.

And striker Berahino now admits he wants to make the most of any England opportunity that should come his way.

"That is one of my ambitions," said the forward, when asked about a possible call-up.

"I'm always trying to push myself and make sure I give myself a chance so, when opportunities do come, I'm ready for it.

"In every game I go out there and do my best and show people what I'm about."

Berahino is already third on the all-time top scorers list for England Under-21s. He has fired in nine goals in just 11 appearances with the Three Lions.

And his exploits against the Clarets were watched by England coaches Ray Lewington and Gary Neville.

Also there was FA head of elite development Dan Ashworth – formerly technical director at The Hawthorns.

But while Berahino is happy to voice his England ambitions, he is also content to let others speculate on when he might get his chance.

"I will let it (a national call-up) be decided by the staff of the senior side," he said.

"I'm just trying to do well for my club and obviously I get the chance to play for the Under-21s, which I really feel honoured to do.

"If a chance does come with the seniors I will take it with both hands as that's ultimately the goal.

"I'll be performing every weekend to try and get into that team.

"A few of the youngsters that I have started with in the Under-21s have gone on and pushed on.

"Some of us who are still in the Under-21s are looking up to them and thinking to ourselves: 'We can do that if we keep putting in performances.'"

Berahino's fine start to the current campaign has come after his first year in the Albion senior side was marred by off the field scrapes.

But the player is embracing the positives, saying he has emerged from those experiences a "better person".

He added: "I had to learn the hard way. Looking back, it has made me who I am now. I cherish those moments because they made me stronger.

"I have come back more mature – and more aware."