Euro 2016

Roy Hodgson: Marcus Rashford selection in England squad "unlikely"

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 22 April 2016

England boss Roy Hodgson admits that, while he has been impressed by what he has seen from Marcus Rashford, the striker is unlikely to feature in his plans for Euro 2016.

Roy Hodgson has admitted that he cannot justify selecting Manchester United youngster Marcus Rashford in his England squad for the European Championships.

The 18-year-old has enjoyed a stellar breakthrough campaign at Old Trafford, finding the net seven times in his first 13 outings for the Red Devils.

Despite calls for Rashford to be selected as a wildcard pick for the Euros, Three Lions boss Hodgson has taken a step back and claimed that he already has plenty of options available in attack.

"I think it would be a very bold decision to put him in and I think it would mean possibly leaving someone behind who, at the moment in my opinion, has more reason to be called up," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "But you never know. The fact is it would be foolish as well to say 'no, no, he's not ready, he can't do it'.

"I am sure he could do it. I am sure if there was enough spaces available and if we were taking 30, we'd certainly probably be considering him. But when it's 23, and we've already got a bit of a headache with the front players as to who we might have to leave out. To put another one in there who is 18 years of age, has four or five games, is asking a lot.

"But I have been impressed with him. He wouldn't have kept his place in the United team if Louis van Gaal didn't think he was worthy of a place in the team. But it looks unlikely to me with the current players we've got and the competition for places in that area of the field."

Louis van Gaal also claimed this week that Rashford still has plenty of learning to do if he is to become a first-team regular at United in the long term.