Manchester United youngster Marcus Rashford is likely to be handed his England debut on Friday, having reported in for global duty on Monday, following United’s FA Cup win on the weekend.
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He must cut three players from that squad by Tuesday next week.
When asked in Tuesday’s press conference if it was worth betting on him as top scorer, however, he was sat firmly on the fence: “You can do what you want!”
“He was a bit unlucky that we selected him and the amount of time we have together is very short indeed”, he admitted. However, he went on to say that “there is no doubt [he has] made the right decision” in calling him up, with it clear that the manager has him in his plans going forward.
“But I’m ruling absolutely nothing out”.
The striker was unavailable for the friendly against Turkey yesterday due to his involvement in the FA Cup Final, but could make his appearance against Australia this coming Friday.
“We’ll have to wait and see if we’ll be seeing more of him in the summer”.
“At the moment the front two were what what we had”, insisted Hodgson. I feel good, I’m 100 percent.
Hodgson said: “I’m not planning an experimental team, but we have only three preparation games and already quite a lot of people – seven players – have missed the first one”.
None are particularly suited to playing out wide, so Hodgson will either have to change his system-which he should also consider doing when he fields Vardy-or force one of them to take the vacant slot on the left.
To the question of whether Rashford would make his debut, Hodgson said: “We’d hope so, yes”. “He certainly didn’t show any signs of physical problems”.
“We should be considered among the best strikers in Europe”.
Who do you think should start at Euro 2016?
The Leicester City striker will get married earlier than planned, to ensure he won’t miss Euro 2016.
“I got the wedding changed a year ago and then at the start of this again and then again – three times”.
“He was very good with his invites, he invited everybody but of course we can’t go”, said the 68-year-old.
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Vardy, whose incredible rise to prominence will be featured in a film, said: “It has been a manic season, but I am happy for it to carry on that way – and I will try and keep my (wedding) speech short and sweet. Maybe I’m missing five per cent match fitness but I think we’ve got two games and I can get that then”.
