England manager, Roy Hodgson, has selected Manchester United youngster, Marcus Rashford, and Newcastle United winger, Andros Townsend, in his 26-man provisional squad for Euro 2016.
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I would like to tell the final 23 they are in the squad after the Australia game.
Despite a fantastic season for the Black Cats which saw him finish with 15 league goals and help Sam Allardyce’s side to safety, Three Lions boss Hodgson has gone for youth over experience and selected Manchester United starlet Marcus Rashford.
Roy Hodgson has explained the reasoning behind his selections for England’s 26-man provisional squad for the European Championship. “The competition is quite strong”, he said.
The squad includes 14 players who have never travelled with England to a major tournament, while the same number have 12 worldwide caps or less.
“There’s no reason why he couldn’t knock someone off their perch (and earn a place in the final squad)”.
The form of Kane and Vardy this season in particular has led some to suggest that Rooney should not make the starting XI, while there have been reports that the United player could be moved out to the left.
FA Cup final duties with Manchester United next Saturday would rule Rashford out of England’s match against Turkey the following day, while Liverpool’s involvement in the Europa League could also impact that match.
Arsenal forward Theo Walcott says he wishes England well at Euro 2016 despite his disappointment at missing out on a place in the squad.
They kick off their Group B campaign against Russian Federation on 11 June, before facing Wales (16 June) and Slovakia (20 June).
“In the week that we work with him and possibly a game or part of a game that he plays, we might start thinking, ‘We really need this fella, he is actually better than some of the others we were contemplating ahead of him certainly a few months ago”‘. Selecting just seven defenders gives him precious little cover at centre-back – although it is also a reflection of the shortfall of quality in that area – but also indicates Hodgson wants as many attacking options as possible.
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Hodgson said Rooney would have no say in the final 23. But I’m pleased to have someone who has had such an outstanding end to the season, a young player and a player I obviously think has got a future if he can continue to develop as he’s developed so far. The tournament runs from June 10-July 10.
