London: Manchester United’s teenage striker Marcus Rashford was included in England’s final 23-man Euro 2016 squad announced on Tuesday as Danny Drinkwater and Andros Townsend dropped out.
Rashford, 18, scored within three minutes of his England debut in Friday’s 2-1 win over Australia, having netted eight times in 18 games since making his United debut in February.
His emergence was thought to have cast doubt on Daniel Sturridge’s place, but the Liverpool player was named as one of five strikers despite missing the Australia game with a calf problem.
Originally named in manager Roy Hodgson’s provisional 26-man squad, Leicester City midfielder Drinkwater and Newcastle United winger Townsend made way.
Injury victim Fabian Delph, the Manchester City midfielder, had previously been omitted.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Joe Hart has backed himself to gain the upper hand in any psychological battle against opponents if England are taken to penalties at the Euro 2016 tournament in France.
England have a miserable record in shootouts, having been knocked out of six major tournaments on penalties since 1990, including their quarter-final defeat by Italy at the 2012 European Championship.
“I try to put as much pressure as I can on the (kicker). I realise it is not easy to take a penalty. I try and build as much pressure as I can and be in control as much as I can,” Hart, 29, said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.
“I have always had the mentality of thinking what is the best moment (to dive). Of believing in what I am doing. I have got it wrong many, many times but I have always believed I know what they are thinking or what they are going to do.”
But former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas believes, after naming his squad, coach Hodgson should make the most out of the Tottenham Hotspur footballers he has at Euro 2016.
“If England do well at the Euros, Tottenham will have a huge influence,” Jenas was quoted as saying by the Independent on Monday.
“They have just had a phenomenal season in terms of the club’s development and that has been a blessing for Hodgson.
“There’s no way he had any inkling that Dele Alli would go on to the level he has. Even Eric Dier, there was questions mark over him last summer. It wasn’t quite happening for him but now he looks like one of the most accomplished holding midfielders in the league. Then there’s the continuing form of Harry Kane,” Jenas said.
The 33-year-old also said the Tottenham players know each other well and said them gelling can lead to great results.
“They will have a massive influence not just because of the players but because of the way they play. There was glimpses (when England beat) Germany. Danny Rose on the left knows exactly where Dele Alli wants the ball, Alli knows where Kane wants it. They have got a very good understanding,” he stated.
“Hodgson should tap into that. You need (people with energy) to press high up the pitch. Then you need full-backs who can do what Kyle Walker and Danny Rose do for Tottenham.”
“Whether he picks them or not is another matter but he would be daft not to tap into that and I think he will.”
England face Russia, Slovakia and Wales in Group B of the 24-team tournament in France which starts on June 10.
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)
