May 17 – Manchester United’s 18-year-old striker Marcus Rashford (pictured) is the surprise selection in England manager Roy Hodgson’s initial 26-man squad for next month’s European Championship finals in France that will be trimmed to 23.
Newcastle winger Andros Townsend and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere have also been called up but Wilshere’s Arsenal teammate Theo Walcott misses out while Danny Welbeck’s absence through injury is a major blow to England’s hopes.
All 24 finalists have until May 31 to submit their 23-man squads.
Rashford broke into the United team because of injuries to key players but quickly made his mark scoring seven goals in 16 games in the second half of the campaign.
Wilshere is arguably the biggest risk having broken his leg last August and having made just one start this season for Arsenal – on the final day of the season.
Hodgson’s 26-man squad features two players from Premier League champions Leicester City – Jamie Vardy and Danny Drinkwater – while Tottenham Hotspur, who finished third after a late slump, and Liverpool both provide five.
The full initial squad
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Tom Heaton (Burnley).
Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool).
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).
Strikers: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).
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