Manchester United's Marcus Rashford could be handed training chance with England

14 May 2016 16:23

Marcus Rashford could be called up to train with England before the European Championship.

The 18-year-old has impressed for Manchester United this season, marking his senior debut with a brace against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League in February and scoring two more in the Premier League win over Arsenal three days later.

Rashford has scored seven goals in 16 appearances for the Red Devils so far and there have been calls for him to be a wild-card pick for the senior England team.

Roy Hodgson has not ruled out including him in his final 23 for the finals in France and Press Association Sport understands it is possible he may be called up to work with the seniors before Euro 2016.

A similar arrangement was made with Jon Flanagan and John Stones before the World Cup two years ago, when the pair made their debuts in pre-tournament friendlies - a path Rashford could follow in the friendly against Australia on May 27.

FA Cup final duties with Manchester United next Saturday would rule Rashford out of England's match against Turkey the following day.

Hodgson is expected to announce his European Championship squad on Monday and will then have until May 31 to settle on his confirmed 23-man group.

Speaking about the possibility of calling up Rashford last month, Hodgson said: "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.

''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 were 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 - who can we take? who might we 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.''

Hodgson must now do without Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck though, after he suffered a knee injury which will sideline him for nine months.

Welbeck was widely expected to be included in the final 23, and his absence could yet open the door for Rashford to be included.

Source: PA