Troy Deeney hopeful of England call but reveals Northern Ireland contact

Troy Deeney says he will be the "proudest man in the country" if he wins an England call-up but claims Northern Ireland have been in touch regarding his possible eligibility.

The Watford striker was left out of Roy Hodgson's most recent squad to face Germany and the Netherlands ahead of Euro 2016, and is yet to win a cap for England.

Speaking to Soccer AM, Deeney confirmed he is waiting to find out if he can play for Northern Ireland, but says he is still holding out hope of featuring for England.

"I don't want to say too much because Mark Noble did an interview and got compared to Grant Holt," he said on Soccer AM.

"I have to be careful about what I say, but I'm just going to do my job and hopefully Mr Hodgson will give me a knock and I'll be the first one there.

"I'd be the proudest man in the country if I did get the opportunity. I just have to keep doing my job and working away."

Deeney also revealed he turned down the chance to play for Jamaica, but admitted Northern Ireland, who have qualified for this summer's Euro 2016, could be an option.

When asked whether they have been in contact regarding eligibility, he said: "Yes, we are just confirming the Northern Ireland thing at the moment.

"And I didn't reject Jamaica and say 'don't call me'. It was just when they did call me it was in the middle of June and I had just finished a long Championship season so I said, 'I fancy a couple of weeks with my kids.'

"Also when they play you have to meet up in Miami and fly to Costa Rica or wherever they are playing that week, and it's a long, old stint.

"When you fly back you get back on Friday morning too, so I'd miss the whole week with the Watford lads and being captain you can't afford to do that."

Deeney scored five goals in six appearances between October and December, but has cooled off since with five in his next 19 games.

And the striker believes he must find the net on a regular basis to give himself the best chance of making an impression at international level.

"I don't think the England manager chooses his team based on six months, I think you need to do it over a long period," he continued. "Drinky [Danny Drinkwater] is in the squad now and fair play to him, but he's been doing it consistently.

"You have to do it over the long haul. We did really well at the start of the season and it's dipped off a little bit now but more goals are coming for myself so I'm happy."