Monday 16 May 2016 11:04 am

Townsend, Rashford and Wilshere named in expanded England Euro 2016 squad

By: Frank Dalleres

Sports Editor

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Newcastle winger Andros Townsend is the surprise name in England provisional squad for this summer's European Championship in France.

Teenage Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford and injury-plagued Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere are also in the 26-man party, which will be cut to 23.

Wilshere's Gunners colleague Theo Walcott and Everton defenders Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka miss out, while there is no place for West Ham's Andy Caroll or Sunderland's Jermain Defoe.

Hodgson has until the end of the month to trim his squad to 23 players, with governing body Uefa's final deadline on 31 May. He has indicated he will decide after England play Australia on 27 May.

Townsend revived his fortunes with a January move from Tottenham to Newcastle, scoring four times in 13 appearances despite the Magpies' failure to avoid relegation.

Wilshere is included despite playing just 141 minutes this season after injuring himself on the eve of the campaign.

Rashford, 18, has enjoyed a meteoric rise since being thrust into the United first team in February and scoring four goals in his first two games. 

The squad announcement comes three days later than initially planned, after Hodgson delayed the decision following an injury to forward Danny Welbeck last week.

England are due to play three friendly matches around the country before departing for France next month.

Hodgson's men meet Turkey on Sunday 22 May at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, Australia on Friday 27 May at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, and complete their warm-up schedule against Portugal at Wembley on Thursday 2 June.

The Three Lions begin their Euro 2016 campaign on Saturday 11 June against Russia in Marseille, before further group stage fixtures against Wales, on Thursday 16 June in Lens, and Slovakia, on Monday 20 June in Saint-Etienne.