Gareth Southgate has ruthlessly axed Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson from his Euro 2024 squad.
The duo, who have 141 international caps between them, were the two shock omissions from the initial 33-man England squad for the tournament in Germany next month.
On the omission of Rashford, Southgate explained: ‘Other players in that area of the pitch have had better seasons. It’s as simple as that.’
Southgate added that Henderson’s recent injury problems are a factor in his non-selection: ’Hendo has given himself every chance.
’The determining factor was the injury he picked up around the last camp, he missed five weeks and he hasn’t been able to get to the intensity.
Marcus Rashford has been left out of Gareth Southgate’s provisional squad for England’s Euro 2024 campaign this summer
Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling is another big name missing from Southgate’s provisional squad
Ajax’s Jordan Henderson is another high-profile name left out of the England Euro squad
’He will be a miss, he is an exceptional individual, a fantastic human being and he has been in that leadership role since I took charge.
‘We have got young players with a lot of caps and there’s no reason they can’t lead.’
Luke Shaw, who hasn’t played for three months due to a hamstring injury, was included but Southgate admitted the Manchester United defender could miss out on the final 26 man party due to the fitness concerns.
’He is up against it, he has missed a lot of football and the fact he has been our first choice in that position is why we are giving him more time than we might have done. I don’t know what’s realistic at this time.
‘The medical team are liaising with Manchester United but I’d say he is a long shot.’
Southgate, though, did ease lingering injury concerns over captain Harry Kane, who has been nursing a back injury.
We think he is okay,’ said Southgate.
‘He’s obviously missed the end of the season with a back issue. But our understanding from our end and from the medical team at Bayern is that that shouldn’t be a problem once we get back into training.’
Adam Wharton, Jarrell Quansah and Curtis Jones were handed their first call-ups.
Adam Wharton has been rewarded for his Crystal Palace form since joining in January
Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah has been given a chance to impress amid defensive injury issues
Kane’s two understudies up front – Ivan Toney of Brentford and Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa – are both in, though only one may make the final cut.
Also selected in attack as Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, James Maddison and Cole Palmer with Southgate determined to give everyone an audition.
That also applies in defence, with the uncapped Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, Liverpool’s versatile Joe Gomez, Villa’s Ezri Konsa, Brighton’s Lewis Dunk and Palace’s Marc Guehi alongside more established names like Harry Maguire and John Stones.
Southgate confirmed Arsenal’s Ben White didn’t make himself available for selection, while Reece James and Ben Chilwell were also not included.
Burnley’s James Trafford is one of four goalkeepers picked in the enlarged squad.
Those selected will report to a training camp and will hope for a chance to impress Southgate in pre-Euros friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park in Newcastle on June 3 and Iceland at Wembley on June 7.
The deadline for cutting the squad down to a maximum of 26 players is June 7.
England begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on June 16, with Denmark and Slovenia also in their group.
Eric Dier wasn’t included in the squad despite a strong second half of the season with Bayern Munich.
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has also been included in the 33-man provisional squad
Kobbie Mainoo (left) will hope to force his way into the final 26-man squad for the Euros
‘[He has] played very well for Bayern and I know they are very happy with him,’ the England boss said.
‘He’s just behind the guys we’ve selected. We watch every game and he has played well in the Champions League as well. We’ve assessed all of that.’
The official announcement featured a few positional quirks with Jude Bellingham named among the forwards, but Southgate insisted nothing should be read into that.
He said: ‘I wouldn’t be obsessed with where we’ve positioned the players. I write a list and other people put a heading on it.
‘I don’t know where players will be cut. In another couple of weeks we will be a lot clearer on a number of issues.’
Jadon Sancho hasn’t forced an England recall despite a productive loan spell at Borussia Dortmund from United.