Roy Hodgson gave a surprise call up to Manchester United’s 18-year-old striker Marcus Rashford as he named his provisional England squad for this summer’s European Championships.
Despite only breaking onto the scene midway through this season Hodsgon has decided to gamble on Rashford, choosing the striker ahead of Jermain Defoe who netted 18 goals for struggling Sunderland during the campaign.
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshire and Manchester City’s Fabien Delph were also surprise inclusions given their relative lack of game time this season.
Rumours that Wilshire was set for a call-up began yesterday when Hodgson was at the Emirates Stadium to watch the 24-year-old make his first start of the season.
Burnley’s Tom Heaton edged Ben Foster out for the final goalkeeping place, while there was no room for players such as Phil Jagielka, Mark Noble, Theo Walcott and Andy Carroll.
The current 27 man squad will eventually by whittled down to 23 players in time for the Championships next month.
Provisional England squad:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Fraser Forster, Tom Heaton.
Defenders: Nathaniel Clyne, Kyle Walker, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling, John Stones, Ryan Bertrand, Danny Rose.
Midfielders: Dele Alli, Ross Barkley, Fabian Delph, Eric Dier, Danny Drinkwater, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, James Milner, Raheem Sterling, Andros Townsend, Jack Wilshere.
Strikers: Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Jamie Vardy.
