Marcus Rashford given England spot as Drinkwater and Townsend miss out
Eighteen-year-old Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford is heading to Euro 2016 after Roy Hodgson decided to cut Andros Townsend and Danny Drinkwater from the England squad.
Having initially named a 26-strong provisional party on May 17, the manager had to whittle the squad down by three ahead of Tuesday's UEFA deadline.
Manchester City's Fabian Delph had already dropped out due to a groin complaint, with the Football Association confirming on Tuesday that Newcastle winger Townsend and Leicester midfielder Drinkwater had not made the 23-man squad.
Hodgson's decision means England will have three goalkeepers, seven defenders, eight midfielders and five forwards in France - a group including teenage sensation Rashford.
Just three months after making his first appearance for United, the 18-year-old has won the FA Cup, signed a new contract and earned a place at Euro 2016.
Rashford impressed the England coaching staff by following up impressive training displays with a dream international debut, netting 138 seconds into the 2-1 win against Australia on Friday.
That display ratcheted up the pressure on Daniel Sturridge, but he too got the nod despite being the only member of the squad not to appear in either of the preparation matches.
The 26-year-old was absent for the victory against Turkey due to the Europa League final and was ruled out of the Socceroos clash with a calf strain.
Sturridge made a timely return to training on Monday, though, and has been selected ahead of Townsend and Drinkwater.
The latter had made the first of three England appearances in March, but there was no place for the Leicester midfielder in the 23-man squad.
Reacting to the news via his Instagram account, Drinkwater said: "Disappointed not to make the final 23! Would of been a fantastic experience to go to the euros as a player... But I'll be supporting the country like I always have!
"The seasons been a huge positive for me.. Going into next season as a premier league champion! Good luck to the lads... Bring it home #england"
Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshere returning to fitness was key to Drinkwater's absence, with the pair handed the number 14 and 18 shirts respectively for Euro 2016.
Sturridge has been given number 15 and Rashford will wear 22, while Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney Jamie Vardy take up shirts nine, 10 and 11.
Tottenham pair Kyle Walker and Danny Rose have been given the number two and three shirts ahead of full-back rivals Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand.
England welcome Portugal to Wembley on Thursday in their final preparation match before Euro 2016.
Hodgson's men begin Group B against Russia on June 11 in Marseille, before taking on Wales in Lens on June 16 and travelling to St Etienne on June 20 to face Slovakia.
