Wayne Rooney insists he can adapt to a new role in an England side he feels can “match any team there is” at the European Championships. “While the 18-year-old is now unlikely to be among the 23 players who go to France, Hodgson told him that he would make the cut if his performances deserve it”.
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“We’ve got players who can play anywhere across that front line”.
Danny Drinkwater said making England’s final squad for Euro 2016 and winning the competition would be “the icing on the cake” of his season but would understand if Roy Hodgson opted to leave him at home.
Vardy scored 24 goals for the Barclays Premier League champions this season and is joined by team-mate Drinkwater in the provisional squad, which will be reduced to 23 by the end of May.
The 26-year-old played in 35 of their 38 league games, scoring three goals and setting up eight others as Leicester claimed a top-flight crown for the first time in their 132-year history.
Andros Townsend, who won the last of his 10 caps in October, comes in following Danny Welbeck’s knee injury, but there is no place for Theo Walcott.
Manchester United academy product Marcus Rashford has been named in England’s provisional squad for Euro 2016, another landmark in his short career. “There’s no reason why he can’t knock someone off their perch but it will be harder than some people might expect”.
Vardy is one of five strikers picked by Hodgson, with Manchester United’s 18-year-old Marcus Rashford also a surprise selection.
Southgate said at the time: “It was a bit early for him exposure-wise to be with the U21s”.
Former England striker Gary Lineker said the 26-man squad contained “bags of talented youngsters”. It depends what the coaches want from you.
“He’s come in and he’s listened to the manager and to players”.
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Just reflecting on the season, that would be the icing on the cake’. Then it was can you really make the Champions League, can you finish higher than this team and that team, to can you win the league?
