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Upson, who has spent three months of this season on loan at First Division Reading, is joined by seven other uncapped players in Paul Konchesky, Ledley King, Jermaine Jenas, Paul Parker, James Beattie, Francis Jeffers and Wayne Rooney.
The former Luton Town man admitted he was shocked to hear he had been included in Sven Goran Eriksson's England squad.
"I was at the hotel I am staying at present with a couple of mates when I saw my dad had left a message on my phone saying I was in the England squad but I thought that was a wind-up," explained Upson.
"Then a journalist called me and told me the same thing and again my reaction was 'you are joking' but he gradually convinced me that he was deadly serious. It is amazing. I am shocked, stunned, all those things. It was something I was not expecting at this stage.
"I had a good spell with the Under-21s and it was big, big dream of mine to one day get into the full England squad.
"It's fair to say that was one of the reasons that I left Arsenal for Birmingham was to be able to play regular and get into that window where people can see what you are capable of.
"But I never dreamed it would be happening now and, after the disappointment of losing today after playing so well in the first half, it is a big lift to me."
Twenty-three year old Upson played fourteen times for the Royals whilst on loan earlier this season. he certainly and shored up the defence, enabling Reading to go on a run of seven consecutive games without conceding a goal as they rose into the Play-Off places.
When the former England under 21 man left the Madejski Stadium to return to Arsenal boss Alan Pardew commented: "He's been a pleasure to work with and I know everyone at Reading will look out for him in the future.
"He has undoubtedly got a big future in the game. Personally, when he makes his debut for England I'm going to make sure I'm there."
At the time many people scoffed at the thought of Upson playing for England as his career appeared to be on a downward spiral. Few would believe that he would make Sven Goran Eriksson's squad two months later.
After returning to Arsenal in December Upson completed a move to Premiership outfit Birmingham during last month's transfer window as he attempted to command regular first team football.
Signed by Steve Bruce for £1 million, rising to £3 million depending on appearances, Upson could well prove a snip if he keeps Birmingham in the Premiership.
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FULL ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers:
David James (West Ham), Paul Robinson (Leeds), Richard Wright (Everton)
Defenders:
Gary Neville (Man United), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Danny Mills (Leeds), Paul Konchesky (Charlton), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), Ledley King (Tottenham), Wes Brown (Man Utd), Matthew Upson (Birmingham)
Midfielders:
David Beckham (Man Utd), Paul Scholes (Man Utd), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle), Jermaine Jenas (Newcastle), Sean Davis (Fulham), Paul Parker (Charlton), Danny Murphy (Liverpool), Joe Cole (West Ham)
Forwards:
Michael Owen (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Everton), James Beattie (Southampton), Darius Vassell (Aston Villa), Francis Jeffers (Arsenal)