Which three England players will miss out on Roy Hodgson's 23-man Euro 2016 squad named on May 31?
Monday 16 May 2016 14:38, UK
Roy Hodgson's 26-man England squad for Euro 2016 will be reduced to 23 before the tournament, but which three players could miss out?
The likes of Marcus Rashford, Fabian Delph, Jack Wilshere and Andros Townsend are surprise inclusions in the squad ahead of the tournament in France, which kicks off for England on June 11 against Russia in Marseille.
Hodgson has friendlies against Turkey (May 22) and Australia (May 27) to judge who will make the final cut before a final warm-up against Portugal on June 2.
Here, Sky Sports News HQ's Nick Collins gives us some insight into Hodgson's thinking, and who is likely to miss out from the initial squad...
Which three players could be left at home?
COLLINS: You've got to look at the midfield, and with 11 names in the squad, that's where some of the cuts will inevitably be made.
If Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson can prove their form and fitness after returning from injury, then I think a couple of players that may miss out would be the likes of Fabian Delph and Danny Drinkwater.
I think they are the sort of players who will be in danger of missing out.
The third one at this stage, and I hasten to add at this stage, who is most likely to miss out would be 18-year-old Marcus Rashford, the surprise name in the squad.
What can Rashford do to get on the plane?
COLLINS: He's got a lot of convincing to do to get ahead in the pecking order.
Roy Hodgson has always said he wanted to take five strikers, but that may change to four now because of Danny Welbeck's injury.
The young player has really got to show that he can do something. He can't play in the first warm-up game against Turkey of course because of his involvement in the FA Cup final with Manchester United, and his one chance may come against Australia at the Stadium of Light on May 27.
It could completely change with form and injury over the coming days, and that's why it is a fascinating situation.
Which decisions would have been toughest for Hodgson?
COLLINS: I think the hardest decision would have been telling Phil Jagielka that he won't be going to the Euros.
I think the decision between Andros Townsend and Theo Walcott would have also been a tough one. They've both played well for Hodgson in the past, though loss of form and injuries have curtailed their appearances for England. But Townsend finished the season strongly, and it has been the opposite for Theo.
England 26-man squad for friendlies against Turkey and Australia
Goalkeepers: Forster, Hart, Heaton
Defenders: Bertrand, Cahill, Clyne, Rose, Smalling, Stones, Walker
Midfielders: Alli, Barkley, Dier, Drinkwater, Delph, Henderson, Lallana, Milner, Sterling, Townsend, Wilshere
Strikers: Kane, Rashford, Rooney, Sturridge, Vardy
