Robert Green has admitted that it came as a surprise when he was recalled to the England squad.

The Queens Park Rangers stopper has been in fine form this season and was called up by Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson following injuries to both Ben Foster and Fraser Forster.

Green is expected to make his first England appearance since 2012 in Tuesday night's friendly against Italy, and the 35-year-old says that he did not expect to be back on the international scene again.

"I'm delighted to be here," Green told QPR's official website. "Off the back of a lot of hard work I'm pleased to be back involved after a few years out.

"Time wasn't really on my side. You've got lads like Jack Butland coming through now who will no doubt get a chance, Joe Hart is only 27, so they have got many, many years of goalkeeping to come.

"It wasn't really a focal point, in terms of goals and aims, that I was going to look at this season. When called upon I'm pleased to play my part."

Green has won 12 caps for England.