LONDON: Marcus Rashford proved the added value of his season-ending flourish when he was included in England’s squad of 23 for the European Championship finals in France writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Rashford, who made his professional debut only on February 25 then scored eight goals in 18 club games, was thought to be on an ‘experience’ exercise when he was included by manager Roy Hodgson in a provisional list.

However he then starred in Manchester United’s FA Cup win over Crystal Palace and followed up with an instant strike on his England debut against Australia last Friday.  His chances were improved by the fitness questionmarks hanging over Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge who missed the last two friendly matches.

Omitted were Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater and Newcastl;e winger Andros Townsend. Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph had already been ruled out by  a groin injury.

England face Portugal in their last Euro 2016 warm-up match on Thursday which may offer clues to the starting line-up at the finals against Russia on June 11. England then play Wales on June 16 and Slovakia on June 20.

The 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).

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