New Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson is set to name his squad for the summer's European Championships later this week.

Manchester United frontman Wayne Rooney will be suspended for the opening two group games in the Ukraine.

Holt chalked up his 15th Premier League goal in the Canaries 2-0 win over Aston Villa yesterday and the former tyre-fitter from Carlisle believes as England's second-highest marksman that should have been enough to give Hodgson "something to think about".

"The goals I have scored and the performances I have put in, if I am not in with a shout, something is wrong," said 31-year-old Holt, who spearheaded Norwich's drive up from npower League One in successive campaigns.

"He will pick me or he won't, but I won't be far off. I should be in his thoughts with what I have achieved this year."

Holt added: "A lot of people have pinned me in one way and never seen me play football. People have said I haven't done it at the top level, but there is no bigger or better league than this.

"Every week you are playing against internationals. It baffles me to hear some people's comments, some of them have never seen me play football. I will take their comments and brush them off."

Holt believes Norwich keeper John Ruddy has also merited international recognition.

"If John churns in performances like he has the last three weeks, there's no one better than him and Joe [Hart]. Without a doubt he should be in that squad," the Norwich skipper added.

"People are talking about Ben Foster. Well, to be fair, he retired from his country so I don't think they should get him back out.

"If you want to play for your country, you shouldn't retire.

"I would give John and the young lads the opportunity to show what they can do."

Ruddy believes the lack in depth of English goalkeepers in the top flight means "by default, I am the next in line."

England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence watched Ruddy keep a clean sheet against Villa.

The 25-year-old former Everton stopper added: "English goalkeepers are pretty thin on the ground at the moment.

"The attention that is coming my way is nice. If it happens I will be over the moon. If it doesn't, I will make sure I come back bigger and stronger next year."

Ruddy also championed Holt's cause.

He said: "Holty is a handful. If you asked any defender in the Premier League who they didn't like coming up against this season, he would probably be in their top three because of the way he's an old style centre-forward.

"He gets himself in the way, he makes a nuisance of himself. He'll harass and bully people. That's probably what England have been lacking since [Alan] Shearer and [Teddy] Sheringham

"Someone who can really get into the opposition's defence and play alongside Rooney, who can pick off him and take the chances."