Jarrad branthwaite

No Marcus Rashford: England coach Gareth Southgate produced a surprise on Tuesday when he named his preliminary squad for the forthcoming European Championships (Euro 2024) when he left out Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford. The absence of Rashford, who has 17 goals in 60 appearances for England, is the biggest surprise in the 33-player squad (which has to be reduced to 26 by June 7), which is also without veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson and central defender Eric Dier, who has been in excellent form for Bayern Munich.

Southgate has included Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw, despite him not playing since February, but with no Ben Chilwell in the squad, if Shaw isn't fit enough to make the final cut, England will go into the tournament without a specialist left-back.

"I just feel other players in other areas of the pitch have had better seasons," said Southgate when asked about Rashford's absence.