Saido Berahino has revealed that Gareth Southgate played a crucial role in helping him reach top form in the early stages of this season.

The West Bromwich Albion striker has already found the net five times in the current campaign, and he admits that the help he received from the England Under-21s manager was vital while he was struggling to produce his best last season.

"Gareth Southgate stayed in touch with me and gave me some advice which made a huge difference to me," Berahino told reporters.

"He talked to me about things that happened to him when he was a youngster, how he handled certain stuff, and it was a huge boost that somebody from the national team cared and gave me a call.

"When I did go and play for England he always had time to sit down and chat - he understood and knew what was going on, and realised how tough it was. He was a big help."

Berahino is expected to start for the Under-21s in the first leg of their Euro 2015 qualifying playoff against Croatia on Friday.