HE’S GOT TO GO!
Record-breaker Rashford is a must for the Euros
MARCUS Rashford made it virtually impossible for Roy Hodgson to leave him out of England’s Euro 2016 squad last night as he took just 138 seconds to score his first international goal.
The Manchester United teenager’s volley made him the youngest player to score on his England debut before Wayne Rooney added a powerful second. And Rashford’s whirlwind season is now set for a dream ending in France after Hodgson indicated the 18-year-old will make his final squad.
The England boss said: ‘You asked me
before the game if I thought he would be up for it and would be able to deal with the situation and I think we got a resounding yes to that question and I’m really pleased for him.
‘Will he be in the squad? Let’s wait and see. I have got until Tuesday, but on that performance he wouldn’t be out of place in anybody’s 23.
‘He has done his chances of coming in the 23 no harm. He wouldn’t have been in the 26 if I didn’t think he had a chance.’
Jordan Henderson echoed his manager’s praise for Rashford.
‘It’s incredible, isn’t it really,’ he said. ‘He’s got no fear. He wants the ball all the time, runs in behind and it looks like a great finish. He’s got everything.
‘He made an impact tonight in his debut. If you give him the opportunity I’m sure he’ll do very well but that’s up to the manager.’
The 18-year-old’s performance has raised further question marks over Daniel Sturridge’s place on the plane to France.
The Liverpool striker did not feature at all yesterday after failing to recover from a niggling calf problem.
Sturridge has not trained since joining up with the England squad but it is understood the striker will be fit enough to train on Monday. Hodgson, though, has refused to rule out selecting the 26-year- old despite the fears over his fitness.
‘Whether Sturridge is in the squad is not dependent on whether he trains on Monday,’ said Hodgson. ‘If it turns out that the injury would keep him out for the Euros and unfit for the first game against Russia, that might make a difference.
‘But I have no indication it is serious enough to keep him out. He is a quality player.’
Meanwhile, Hodgson allayed fears over the fitness of firstchoice centre back Chris Smalling, who limped off in the second half. The England boss insisted the defender was merely suffering from cramp.