adminLONDON. — Manchester United’s teenage sensation Marcus Rashford and Newcastle United winger Andros Townsend were named in a provisional 26-man England soccer squad for Euro 2016 yesterday.
Rashford was the surprise pick in England manager Roy Hodgson’s provisional squad for the Euro Championship named yesterday.
The uncapped Rashford (18) has burst onto the scene with United this season, scoring seven goals in 16 games, while Townsend, who won the last of his 10 England caps in October, has impressed since joining Newcastle from Tottenham Hotspur in January.
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere and Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson were both included after recent spells on the sidelines, but there was no place for Wilshere’s club-mate Theo Walcott.
Explaining Rashford’s call-up, England manager Roy Hodgson told a Press conference at Wembley: “He deserves to be selected. It’ll be interesting to see what he can do, even if he only has one week (in training) before I name the final 23.
“There’s no reason why he couldn’t knock someone off their perch (and earn a place in the final squad). But that will be harder than some people expect.”
Hodgson selected five strikers in his provisional list, which will be reduced to 23 before the tournament, with Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane, Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney and Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge the others.
“Marcus Rashford is one of the contenders,” Hodgson, whose side are among the favourites for the tournament in France after qualifying with a 100 percent record, told a news conference.
“Competition is strong and he deserves to be selected for the main squad but I am pleased someone who has had an outstanding end to the season has a great future. He will have the chance to knock someone off their perch.”
Hodgson must reduce his squad to 23 players for the tournament in France, which sees England drawn alongside Slovakia, Russia and neighbours Wales in Group B.
Arsenal pair Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck had already been ruled out of the tournament by injury, while Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw has not returned to action since sustaining a double leg break last September.
Everton centre-back Phil Jagielka was another high-profile absentee, having struggled with injury in recent months, while there was an unexpected call-up for Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph.
Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, Everton left-back Leighton Baines and in-form Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe all missed out.
Premier League champions Leicester City had two representatives in midfielder Danny Drinkwater and striker Jamie Vardy.
On his decision to select Townsend over Walcott, Hodgson said: “They’re both good players. They’re very different players. They play in wide positions, but they’re not similar players.
“Andros was unlucky to lose his place when he was not getting a regular place. He’s done very well at Newcastle. Theo has not had such regular games and has had a tough time with injuries.”
Walcott, who sat out Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday with a slight hamstring injury, was also omitted from Hodgson’s squad for the 2014 World Cup.
He reacted on Twitter, writing: “I am of course disappointed not to make the squad, but I have spoken with Roy and respect his decision. I wish Roy and all the team the best of luck for a successful Euro’s.”
Walcott was not the only experienced player left out of a youthful-looking squad. There was no place for Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick or Everton defenders Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka.
Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson, who returned from five weeks out with a knee injury on Sunday, is one of 11 midfielders in the squad, although he must prove his fitness.
“You always have players who you want to have had a few more games, but also you want some players to have played less. I was happy to see Jordan back and these three matches can help with fitness,” Hodgson said.
Vardy was joined by his fellow title winner Danny Drinkwater while Tottenham Hotspur, who led the pursuit of Leicester before a late collapse, have five players in the squad including PFA Young Player of the Year Dele Alli.
England begin their final preparations for the Euro with a friendly against Turkey in Manchester on Sunday and will also tackle Australia and Portugal before departing for France early next month.
Provisional England squad
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)
Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Andros Townsend (Newcastle United), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United, capt), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) — AFP.
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