Marcus Rashford selected in provisional England squad

Marcus Rashford has been named in a 26-man provisional squad for England's Euro 2016 squad with Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson and Andros Townsend also selected for next month's tournament in France but there is no place for Theo Walcott.

Rashford, 18, caps a remarkable breakthrough season in which he has scored seven goals in 16 matches by making the 26 – to be cut down to 23 by May 31st – while Wilshere and Henderson both proved their fitness on the final day on the season.

“[RASHFORD IS] one of the contenders, of course,” said Hodgson. “The competition is quite strong, he’ll understand that. He deserves to be selected in this larger squad.

“It will be interesting to see what he can do, it may only be for one week, but I am pleased that he has had such a good end to the season. It’s great to be able to include him. There’s no reason why he can’t knock someone off their perch, but it will be harder than some people might expect.”

Hodgson was in the Emirates Stadium crowd on Sunday to watch Wilshere make his first start in almost a year in Arsenal's 4-0 victory over Aston Villa and while it was just a third appearance of the season for the 24-year-old, his form in England's qualifying campaign has warranted selection.

Walcott meanwhile, missed out on Sunday with a minor hamstring problem and again misses out on a major tournament with Townsend, who last played for England last October, preferred following an upturn in form since his summer move to Newcastle despite the Magpies' relegation.

Townsend has profited from the untimely knee injury to Danny Welbeck with Hodgson opting against recalling either Andy Carroll or Jermain Defoe despite both coming into form towards the end of the season. Daniel Sturridge has been selected in attack however, along with Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Wayne Rooney.

Hodgson has selected seven defenders but just three centre-backs with Everton's captain Phil Jagielka omitted with Eric Dier – one of five Tottenham Hotspur players selected – providing cover from midfield where he is joined by Manchester City's Fabian Delph.

Leighton Baines is another to miss out with Ryan Bertrand and Danny Rose selected to vie for the first-choice left-back role while Manchester United's Michael Carrick is also omitted with Danny Drinkwater profiting from Leicester City's title-winning season.

England’s 26-man provisional squad for Euro 2016

Goalkeepers: Tom Heaton (Burnley), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

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)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

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