Internet Desk: England manager Roy Hodgson has named Manchester United’s 18-year-old striker Marcus Rashford in an initial 26-man squad for Euro 2016.
Newcastle United winger Andros Townsend and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere are also called up for the tournament. But Theo Walcott, Phil Jagielka, Jermain Defoe and Mark Noble miss out.
All 24 teams have until 31 May to submit their 23-man squads for Euro 2016, which is being held in France from 10 June to 10 July. Rashford only broke into the United first team in the second half of the season but quickly became a firm fixture.
He scored four times in his first two appearances and has seven goals from 16 games since making his senior debut on 25 February. Townsend, 24, ended the campaign strongly despite his club’s relegation from the Premier League.
Wilshere, 24, broke his leg in August and only made his first start of the season for Arsenal on Sunday. Hodgson’s 26-man squad features two players from Premier League champions Leicester City – striker Jamie Vardy and Danny Drinkwater – while Tottenham, who finished third, and Liverpool both provide five players. England will play Wales, Russia and Slovakia in the group stages of Euro 2016.
They kick off their Group B campaign against Russia on 11 June, before facing Wales (16 June) and Slovakia (20 June). England warm up for the tournament with matches against Turkey (22 May), Australia (27 May) and Portugal (2 June). Hodgson said he would like to tell the 23 players who have made the final squad after the game against Australia.
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).