Jamie Vardy’s late goal sealed a solid win for Roy Hodgson’s side after Hakan Calhanoglu cancelled out Harry Kane’s opener, with Kane also missing a penalty. A young, vibrant and attack-minded England came from 2-0 down to create a real buzz around a squad which Hodgson has overhauled significantly since the World Cup.
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Hodgson has indicated that he will hand the 18-year-old his worldwide debut at the Stadium of Light.
The striker is clearly more comfortable in a central role, but with Harry Kane seemingly certain to start the Euros as England’s first-choice leader of the line, Vardy is happy to adapt in order to increase his chances of securing a starting spot.
“I got the wedding changed previous year and then at the start of this again and then again – three times”.
“I don’t really know what to expect from him”, Hodgson told reporters.
Hodgson is deliberating whether to include him when the squad, now comprising 26 players, is whittled down to 23 before the deadline a week on Tuesday and the England manager acknowledged that Rashford would be under pressure to make an immediate impact. I missed one or two last season. “Competition is going to hot up for places when Rooney, Sturridge and Rashford join us”.
Vardy is coming off a breakthrough season in which he scored 24 Premier League goals to help Leicester become the most unlikely English champion in years.
I personally would take Drinkwater though; he’s been outstanding this year and can keep playing those delicious through-balls he’s been picking Vardy out with all term.
The England boss also highlighted the fact that Vardy is not desperately needed for the Australia match, considering his recent displays and the fact his squad is boosted by a clutch of players.
“If we can find a way of gelling the players and getting it right at the critical stage then I think we’ve got a great chance of getting to the semi-finals”, he said. “In terms of a second preparation game it hasn’t caused me any particular problems”.
“But obviously the skipper [Wayne Rooney], when he comes back, he normally takes them so we will see what happens in the next game”.
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Manchester United youngster Marcus Rashford is likely to be handed his England debut on Friday, having reported in for worldwide duty on Monday, following United’s FA Cup win on the weekend.
