England’s final 23 is announced – Drinkwater and Townsend stay at home

It’s heartbreak for Danny Drinkwater and Andros Townsend as they join an already injured Fabian Delph in making up the three players which have been left behind from Roy Hodgson’s final 23 for next month’s European Championships. With the announcement of Delph’s absence confirmed on Friday it left 25 players to fight for the 23 seats on the plane and after their win over Australia the questions were being asked as to whether certain players had done enough to get a seat on the plane

Marcus Rashford took his opportunity perfectly after scoring on his England debut, the debate was then whether he would go as well as or instead of Daniel Sturridge. Sturridge’s talents are good enough to earn him a place in the squad but there has been concern over his injury record, concerns that were bought to the fore after another injury last week. That allowed Rashford to feature against Australia and he has capped off a remarkable couple of months by earning him a place in the squad when many felt previous to Friday that he was only along for the experience of being in the senior setup

For Danny Drinkwater he won’t be able to add to an excellent season with Leicester after losing out to Jordan Henderson in the race for the final central Midfield berth. It may be harsh on Drinkwater after the success he has but on the other hand it seems as if Hodgson has showed faith in Liverpool’s Henderson and rewarded him for helping England get to the tournament in the first place. Has he played enough Football to warrant that spot possibly not but Drinkwater didn’t really do enough in those previous two friendlies to really force the issue

And spare a thought for Andros Townsend, although Newcastle were relegated this season he ended the campaign strongly and many felt due to the lack of natural wingers that England have that he would be in line for a call up. I think Marcus Rashford as a 5th striker hasn’t helped Townsend’s cause but you could make a case for him going instead of Ross Barkley. Barkley and Townsend’s season seemed to have ended in opposite trajectories but it’s Barkley who makes the short trip to France while Townsend stays at home.

Here is the final England squad

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Tom Heaton (Burnley).

Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool).

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Strikers: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).