Marcus Rashford Named In England’s Provisional Squad For Euro 2016
Written 1 year ago by Will O'Callaghan
Manchester United’s uncapped young striker Marcus Rashford has been included in England’s provisional squad for Euro 2016.
Newcastle winger Andros Townsend comes in as replacement for Danny Welbeck, who is injured.
Roy Hodgson has also named Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere in the 26 man squad, that’ll he’ll later reduce to 23.
England face Turkey in Manchester on Sunday in the first of 3 friendlies ahead of the tournament in France which starts next month.
Asked about Rashford’s chances of featuring in his final 23-man squad, Hodgson told a press conference: “He’s one of the contenders, of course.
“The competition is quite strong, he’ll understand that. He deserves to be selected in this larger squad.
“It will be interesting to see what he can do, it may only be for one week, but I am pleased that he has had such a good end to the season.
“It’s great to be able to include him. There’s no reason why he can’t knock someone off their perch, but it will be harder than some people might expect.”
Rashford burst onto the scene with four goals on his first two senior United appearances, and has finished the season with seven goals in 16 games.
Hodgson was in attendance at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday to oversee Wilshere’s first Arsenal start of the season against Aston Villa and has decided to give him the nod.
The midfielder suffered a broken leg in August but his last appearance for England, against Slovenia in June 2015, saw him score twice in a 3-2 win.
Liverpool captain Henderson also made his return from a month-long knee injury absence over the weekend and the England manager admits fitness concerns contributed towards his naming of an extended squad.
The Three Lions face Turkey, Australia and Portugal before heading to France in June.
Hodgson added: “We thought that it would be better to add one or two players to the squad, we’ve got these games coming up, and for this first game in particular we will be without a few players.
“We needed some extra bodies on this occasion. I’m making life that little bit harder for myself, but maybe some of these decisions will be made for me.”
Image – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe
