England football manager Roy Hodgson on Monday included Manchester United’s youth sensation Marcus Rashford in the provisional 26-member squad for UEFA Euro 2016 in France this summer.
26 players. One team. #TogetherForEngland pic.twitter.com/MCIJtK8WCX
— England (@England) May 16, 2016
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshire, Newcastle United’s Andros Townsend, Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater and Jamie Vardy have also made it to the 26-member provisional squad. However Theo Walcott and Phil Jagielka have been left out and will not feature in England’s Euro campaign which begins from June 10 in France.
Hodgson will announce the final 23-member squad before his team takes on Portugal ina pre-tournament friendly on June 2.
Rashford made his debut for Man Utd in the second half of the season but his pace, agility and clinical finishes earned him a permanent place in the squad. The youth sensation netted seven goals from 16 games that he played this season.
? Roy Hodgson says Marcus Rashford is very much in contention for a place in the #ThreeLions‘ #EURO2016 squad. https://t.co/sAd8zl6TAt
— England (@England) May 16, 2016
When asked about Rashford’s chance of making it to the final 23-member squad, Roy Hodgson said: “The competition is quite strong, he’ll understand that.
“There’s no reason why he can’t knock someone off their perch, but it will be harder than some people might expect.
England will start the Group B Euro campaign against Russia on June 11 followed by matches against Wales on June 16 and Slovakia on June 20.
The warm up to the Euro Championships for England begins with matches against Turkey on May 22, followed by matches against Australia on May 27 and Portugal on June 2.
Huge honour to be named in provisional @England squad for the euros…. Will give my all over next few weeks to try and make final squad!
— Andros Townsend (@andros_townsend) May 16, 2016
After being selected in the provisional squad Newcastle United player Townsend tweeted, “Huge honour to be named in provisional England squad.
“Will give my all over next few weeks to try and make final squad!”
Absolutely buzzing! I can’t wait to meet up with the squad and start preparing for the euros. Thanks for all the messages. #England
— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) May 16, 2016
Returning back from a broken leg injury, midfielder Jack Wilshire got his first start of the season in Arsenal’s match against Aston Villa on Sunday.
After being selected in the squad he tweeted – “Absolutely buzzing! I can’t wait to meet up with the squad and start preparing for the Euros. Thanks for all the messages.”
I am of course disappointed not to make the squad, but I have spoken with Roy and respect his decision
— Theo Walcott (@theowalcott) May 16, 2016
“I am of course disappointed not to make the squad, but I have spoken with Roy and respect his decision.” Walcott tweeted after being omitted from the provisional English Squad.
The 26-member squad:
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, Tom Heaton
Defenders: Ryan Bertrand, Gary Cahill, Nathaniel Clyne, Danny Rose, Chris Smalling, John Stones, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Dele Alli, Ross Barkley, Fabian Delph, Eric Dier, Danny Drinkwater, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, James Milner, Raheem Sterling, Andros Townsend, Jack Wilshere
Forwards: Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Jamie Vardy