Manchester United’s teenage striker Marcus Rashford has been named in England manager Roy Hodgson’s 26 man provisional training squad for Euro 2016.
Rashford joins his United team mates Chris Smalling, and captain Wayne Rooney in the squad, which also contains Manchester City’s Joe Hart, Raheem Sterling, and Fabian Delph.
The 18-year-old had only made his Reds debut against FC Midtjylland during an injury crisis in February this year but has scored seven goals in 16 appearances this season including four in his first two games but he is one of five striking options alongside Rooney, Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge.
Hodgson has named just seven defenders, with Spurs utility player Eric Dier expected to offer an option at centre back in case of injury to Smalling, John Stones, or Gary Cahill.
Hodgson is expected to trim the squad down to 23, including three goalkeepers, by May 31 and he will have to be satisfied that the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Jack Wilshire and Jordan Henderson have fully recovered from their injuries before gambling on their fitness.
Notable players to miss out upfront include Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Theo Walcott, and the injured Danny Welbeck who seemed to be a certain pick for Hodgson before he sustained a knee injury at Manchester City last week.
England play a trio of international friendlies prior to the start of the European Championships, starting with a visit to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium on Sunday, May 22 to play against Turkey.
It’s followed by a match against Australia at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light stadium on Friday, May 27.
And finally, England return to Wembley on Thursday, June 2 to play their final friendly against Portugal.
England’s Euro 2016 group B games start on Saturday, June 11 against Russia, followed by a showdown against Wales on Thursday, June 16. They finish their group B campaign against Slovakia on Monday, June 20.
England Euro 2016 Training 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).