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Which England hopefuls should Roy Hodgson take to Euro 2016?

Andros Townsend, Jesse Lingard and Jack Wilshere are aiming for England calls

As England continue their preparations for Euro 2016 with friendlies against Germany on Saturday and the Netherlands on Tuesday, we consider some of the outsiders hoping to catch Roy Hodgson's eye before this summer's tournament.

Leicester's Danny Drinkwater will be aiming to take his chance after earning his first call-up last week, while the likes of Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are facing fitness races to make the final cut.

And with others such as Andros Townsend and Jesse Lingard also hoping for a chance, we take a look at the reasons for and against selecting some of the players on the fringes…

JACK WILSHERE

For: One of England's most technically accomplished central midfielders. Shone as their deep-lying playmaker last season and has plenty of international experience. Won six man-of-the-match awards in his last seven appearances for England, including a two-goal performance against Slovenia in June.

Jack Wilshere of Arsenal during a training session
Image: Jack Wilshere has not featured at all since suffering an injury in pre-season

Against: Has been plagued by injuries throughout his career and is yet to kick a ball this season having fractured his left fibula in the summer. Repeated setbacks do not bode well, and he's running out of time to build up match fitness before the Euros.

DANNY DRINKWATER

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For: Has been a key player for table-topping Leicester this season, starting 29 of their 31 Premier League fixtures and impressing defensively and offensively in Claudio Ranieri's counter-attacking system.

Danny Drinkwater scores Leicester's equalising goal against West Brom
Image: Danny Drinkwater has shone for Premier League leaders Leicester

Against: Had not featured for England since U19 level until his recent call-up for the upcoming friendlies. Faces serious competition for a place in Hodgson's central midfield, and there are also questions over how he would fare in a more possession-based set-up.

ANDROS TOWNSEND

For: Has an excellent record for England having scored three times in 10 appearances including a man-of-the-match performance on his debut against Montenegro and another goalscoring display in a 1-1 draw with Italy in May.

Andros Townsend is yet to start a Premier League game for Tottenham this season
Image: Andros Townsend is hoping for a new lease of life after joining Newcastle

Against: Barely featured for Tottenham in the first half of the season and has struggled for form and fitness since his £13m move to relegation-threatened Newcastle in January.

MARK NOBLE

For: Has starred for a West Ham side chasing Champions League football this season, scoring three goals and claiming four assists. The hard-working 28-year-old has been a reliable and consistent performer for the Hammers for a number of years.

Mark Noble of West Ham United scores his team's second goal at Norwich
Image: Midfielder Mark Noble has been a key player for the Hammers this season

Against: Has never made the step up to the seniors despite being a regular for the U21s between 2007 and 2009. England are well stocked in central midfield and his critics might argue that he does not possess as much technical quality as some of their alternatives.

JESSE LINGARD

For: Has been Impressive since breaking into the Manchester United first team this season. Possesses speed, versatility and an eye for goal, and also offers plenty of energy and work-rate.

Manchester United's Jesse Lingard celebrates scoring their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Newcastle United
Image: Jesse Lingard has broken into Manchester United's starting XI in recent months

Against: Called up for November's friendly against France but is another player untested at senior international level having not made it off the bench that night. Inexperienced, and arguably not done enough to justify a call-up.

ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN

For: Another exciting player with pace and skill to trouble opposition defenders. Is tried and tested at international level, with five goals in 24 appearances since bursting onto the scene as a teenager.

Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain injured during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 1st leg match between Arsenal and Barcelona at Emirates Stadium
Image: Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently sidelined with a knee injury

Against: Has struggled to nail down a regular starting spot at Arsenal this season, making only nine Premier League starts due to injuries and poor form. Currently sidelined with a knee problem and appears to be suffering from a lack of confidence as he struggles to meet his potential.

JONJO SHELVEY

For: A proven Premier League performer who already has four caps for England. An accomplished passer capable of scoring goals from distance and taking set pieces. Received glowing praise from Hodgson after impressing in a 6-0 win against San Marino in September.

Andros Townsend (L) and Jonjo Shelvey (R) of Newcastle United
Image: Jonjo Shelvey joined struggling Newcastle in the January transfer window

Against: Had a difficult time at Swansea in the first half of the season and is facing another tough challenge at relegation-threatened Newcastle. Doubts over whether he has the defensive qualities for England's midfield.

MARCUS RASHFORD

For: Has shown explosive pace, intelligent movement and deadly finishing ability since breaking into Manchester United's starting line-up. Has potential to be a wildcard selection, and Hodgson has refused to rule him out.

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates the first goal in the derby
Image: Roy Hodgson has described Marcus Rashford's emergence as

Against: Raw and inexperienced having made only made eight senior appearances in his fledgling career. Remains something of an unknown quantity and England have plenty of more senior alternatives up front.

THEO WALCOTT

For: His searing pace and intelligent movement make him a dangerous offensive weapon. Vastly experienced at international level with eight goals in 42 appearances for the Three Lions.

Theo Walcott opens the scoring for England on the stroke of half-time
Image: Theo Walcott scored in England's 2-0 win over Estonia in October

Against: Has endured a poor season with Arsenal, falling below the likes of Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck and Joel Campbell in the pecking order. Hodgson also has plenty of attacking talent to choose from, and there are other players in far better form.

MICHAIL ANTONIO

For: Has hit a rich vein of form with West Ham since the turn of the year, scoring five goals in his last 10 appearances. Fast, strong and industrious, with the versatility to play as an advanced wideman or at wing-back.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Michail Antonio of West Ham United controls the ball under pressure of Erik Pieters of Stoke City during the Barclays Premie
Image: Could West Ham's Michail Anotonio force his way into England contention?

Against: Has no experience at any level with England and this is his first season of top-flight football at the age of 25. Could be argued that Hodgson has more polished players at his disposal.

WILFRIED ZAHA

For: Has shown flashes of his quality since his return to Crystal Palace. Once regarded as a future star by Sir Alex Ferguson and averages more successful dribbles per game than any other Premier League player. Has previously won two caps under Hodgson

Crystal Palace striker Wilfried Zaha (L) and Swansea City's Neil Taylor (R) chase the ball
Image: Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is eyeing a return to the international fold

Against: His temperament came into question at Manchester United and there are also doubts about his end product, with just six goals and three assists in 62 Premier League appearances over the last three seasons.

England's statistical Euro squad
England's statistical Euro squad

No Sterling, Stones or Walcott, but who is in WhoScored's stats-based Euro 2016 squad?

Who would you take to Euro 2016? Let us know with a comment or tweet us @SkyFootball.

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