"These are very big games. Slovenia is a qualifier and you could say Scotland is a friendly, but I don't think we'll class it as a friendly. It'll be a tough game, but is one we want to win. I'm looking forward to being involved. I want to be involved, get a few more caps and put some performances in.
"I think a few players will think they deserved a call-up, including a few of the lads here who have been playing well. It's obviously difficult for the England manager to pick 20-odd players out of the whole country and I understand that.
"The way I've been playing and performing, I thought I was in with a chance and credit to the manager because he has picked me. He has obviously been watching our games and now I just need to put a performance in and stay in the squad, really."
While Downing has always played as a winger on his previous appearances for England, but he hopes to play in the middle this time around. So, how much does the midfielder put his recall down to the change to a role at the attacking tip of the diamond?
"Probably all of it! Credit to the manager for changing it up. Playing in new and different positions can help and that's probably why I've been picked. Where Roy sees me playing I don't know but I'll find out when I get there.
"I'm enjoying playing in the middle, so if he plays me there and I can carry on my form I've been producing at West Ham, hopefully that'll be good enough."
Now he is back in the fold, Downing is aiming to remain in the squad and stay there for a potential third major tournament at Euro 2016.
"That's the aim. First and foremost, I need to do well when I get the chance because there will be other players looking to get into that 23 and it will be difficult to stay in there. I've got to give Roy something to think about by playing well and taking my chance.
"I can play in a few positions so hopefully that will help my cause."
Now Downing has himself been called-up, he hopes his West Ham team-mates can also win international recognition for their own fine starts to the season - the likes of Carl Jenkinson, James Tomkins, Mark Noble and Aaron Cresswell.
"I think it's a bonus for the others as they can see that players from this club will be picked and it's not just a small group of clubs from whom players are picked.
"A few of our players must have been in Roy's thinking for this squad. Jenko has been picked before and is starting to hit a run of form now he has got over his injury, Mark Noble has consistently played well and Aaron has come in and done well too. James Tomkins was also very unlucky to be left out considering his form.
"It should give our players confidence that they can get picked."