England boss Roy Hodgson had been due to name his provisional squad for Eur0 2016 on Thursday, but – with injuries affecting his plans left, right and centre – he has decided to postpone his announcement until next Monday.
That’s according to The Mirror, who claim that Hodgson was at Upton Park last night to watch Jesse Lingard, whom he reportedly views as a possible replacement for injured Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck.
Former United man Welbeck is a striker by design, but he more often than not plays out wide for his country.
However, he won’t be playing in any position for the Three Lions this summer, after messing up his knee this weekend.
Welbeck’s absence leaves a big hole in England first XI – one that Jamie Vardy, Wayne Rooney or Raheem Sterling could fill. But they were all expected to be named in Hodgson’s squad anyway, so back-up reinforcements are needed.
And Lingard – although uncapped at senior level – looks like an option.
Would Jesse Lingard be a good Danny Welbeck replacement?
He has scored four goals and provided one assist in 24 Premier League games this season.
Sadly Hodgson didn’t see much of the 23-year-old winger at West Ham, as he only made a seven-minute cameo in a 3-2 defeat to the Hammers.
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