Roy Hodgson has included Manchester United youngster Marcus Rashford in a provisional 26-man squad ahead of this summer’s European Championship.
The 18-year-old striker only made his debut for United in February but his impressive form has seen him fast-tracked into the international set-up.
He is one of five strikers named in the group for the friendlies against Turkey, Portugal and Australia, along with Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy.
Andros Townsend, who won the last of his 10 caps in October, is included following Danny Welbeck’s knee injury, but there is no place for Theo Walcott.
Leicester’s Danny Drinkwater and Manchester City’s Fabian Delph are also included in the squad, as are Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere and Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson as the pair make their way back from injury.
Phil Jagielka is the high-profile defensive absentee, with the Everton defender left out as Hodgson opted for a seven-man defence.
There is no place either for his Toffees teammate Leighton Baines and Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick.
Hodgson has until May 31 before submitting his final 23-man squad for this summer’s finals in France.
Asked about Rashford’s chances of featuring in his final squad, Hodgson told a press conference: “He’s one of the contenders, of course.
“The competition is quite strong, he’ll understand that. He deserves to be selected in this larger squad.
“It will be interesting to see what he can do, it may only be for one week, but I am pleased that he has had such a good end to the season.
“It’s great to be able to include him. There’s no reason why he can’t knock someone off their perch, but it will be harder than some people might expect.”
England’s 26-man provisional Euro 2016 squad:
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)
Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker(Tottenham)
Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham), Ross Barkley (Everton), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Andros Townsend (Newcastle), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
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Source: Talksport