Marcus Rashford caps meteoric rise by making England’s squad for Euro 2016

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has been included in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for Euro 2016, but there is no room for Leicester City’midfielder Danny Drinkwater or Newcastle United winger Andros Townsend.

Marcus Rashford in training with England in Watford, North London. Ben Stansall / AFP

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has been included in Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2016, but there is no room for Leicester City's Premier League title-winning midfielder Danny Drinkwater or Newcastle United winger Andros Townsend.

Having initially named a 26-strong provisional party on May 17, Hodgson had to whittle the squad down by three ahead of Tuesday’s Uefa deadline.

Manchester City’s Fabian Delph had already dropped out due to a groin complaint, with the English Football Association confirming on Tuesday that Newcastle winger Townsend and Leicester midfielder Drinkwater had not made the 23-man squad.

See also:

• Euro 2016 Shapers: Harry Kane, gifted enough to fire England to glory

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• Gallery: Daniel Sturridge or Marcus Rashford? England coach Roy Hodgson has tough decisions to make

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 striker 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 forward 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 wrote: “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 Hotspur 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.

England 23-man squad for Euro 2016

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

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), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

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

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