Eighteen-year-old Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford is heading to Euro 2016 after Roy Hodgson decided to cut Andros Townsend and Danny Drinkwater from the England squad.
Manchester City's Fabian Delph had already dropped out due to a
groin complaint, with the Football Association confirming on Tuesday
that Newcastle winger Townsend and Leicester midfielder Drinkwater had
not made the 23-man squad.
Hodgson's decision means England will have three goalkeepers,
seven defenders, eight midfielders and five forwards in France - a group
including teenage sensation Rashford.
Just three months after making his first appearance for United,
the 18-year-old has won the FA Cup, signed a new contract and earned a
place at Euro 2016.
Rashford impressed the England coaching staff by following up
impressive training displays with a dream international debut, netting
138 seconds into the 2-1 win against Australia on Friday.
That display ratcheted up the pressure on Daniel Sturridge, but
he too got the nod despite being the only member of the squad not to
appear in either of the preparation matches.
The 26-year-old was absent for the victory against Turkey due to
the Europa League final and was ruled out of the Socceroos clash with a
calf strain.
Sturridge made a timely return to training on Monday, though, and has been selected ahead of Townsend and Drinkwater.
The latter had made the first of three England appearances in
March, but there was no place for the Leicester midfielder in the 23-man
squad.
Reacting to the news via his Instagram account, Drinkwater said:
"Disappointed not to make the final 23! Would of been a fantastic
experience to go to the euros as a player... But I'll be supporting the
country like I always have!
"The seasons been a huge positive for me.. Going into next season
as a premier league champion! Good luck to the lads... Bring it home
#england"
Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshere returning to fitness was key to
Drinkwater's absence, with the pair handed the number 14 and 18 shirts
respectively for Euro 2016.
Sturridge has been given number 15 and Rashford will wear 22,
while Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney Jamie Vardy take up shirts nine, 10 and
11.
Tottenham pair Kyle Walker and Danny Rose have been given the
number two and three shirts ahead of full-back rivals Nathaniel Clyne
and Ryan Bertrand.
England welcome Portugal to Wembley on Thursday in their final preparation match before Euro 2016.
Hodgson's men begin Group B against Russia on June 11 in
Marseille, before taking on Wales in Lens on June 16 and travelling to
St Etienne on June 20 to face Slovakia.
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