Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford's meteoric rise has continued following his inclusion in England's 26-man provisional squad for this summer's European Championship.
The 18-year-old Rashford, who made his debut for United in February, was one of five strikers selected by manager Roy Hodgson on Monday in an enlarged group for warm-up matches against Turkey, Australia and Portugal, before the tournament in France.
Winger Andros Townsend was called up after finishing the Premier League season well with relegated Newcastle.
Manchester United starlet Marcus Rashford has been named in England's provisional squad for Euro 2016
Roy Hodgson, spoke on Monday during a Wembley press conference, after unveiling his provisional squad
Midfielders Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson were also picked after recently making their returns after injuries.
However, Arsenal winger Theo Walcott was left out after failing to start a match for his club since February.
Senior England internationals Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Michael Carrick were also omitted.
The inclusion of Rashford is the standout name with the teenager having only made his professional debut 82 days ago. Despite his inexperience, Hogdson believes he can force his way into his final 23-man squad although he faces fierce competition in the striking department.
Jack Wilshere has made just one top-flight start for Arsenal but is among the 26-man provisional squad
Jamie Vardy has been named in England's provisional 26-man squad for Euro 2016 next month too
Hodgson says he is pleased for Rashford's, pictured on England Under 20 duty, end to the season
'He's one of the contenders, of course,' Hodgson said. 'The competition is quite strong, he'll understand that. He deserves to be selected in this larger squad.
'It will be interesting to see what he can do, it may only be for one week, but I am pleased that he has had such a good end to the season.
'It's great to be able to include him. There's no reason why he can't knock someone off their perch, but it will be harder than some people might expect.'
There is no question of Wayne Rooney, who burst into the international limelight as an 18-year-old at Euro 2004 when he helped England to the quarter-finals, not going to France.
But with so many striking options, a starting place is no longer guaranteed for England's all-time leading scorer against Russia in Marseille on June 11 - a dilemma for Hodgson.
With Spurs young guns Dele Alli and Eric Dier pushing for starting roles and Manchester City's Raheem Sterling offering width and pace, even a place in midfield, where he now plays for United, is not certain for Rooney.
The 30-year-old's experience could, however, prove vital.
'Wayne Rooney is the captain and has done a fantastic job. 109 games and 51 goals and there are not many players in Europe who will reach that success,' Hodgson said.
'I have to select teams against Turkey, Portugal and Australia. Rooney is an important player but he is not demanding to play in the opening game. I am under no pressure to select him.'
Hodgson said Rooney would have no say in the final 23.
'That would not be correct. His responsibility is as a player, then captain. I am not certain I want him involved in who I should pick,' Hodgson said.
Hodgson has warned Wayne Rooney he is not a certain starter for England at the European Championship
The 30-year-old is the Three Lions' record all-time goalscorer with 51 goals in 109 games
With a final Premier League game to come and next weekend's FA Cup final, Rashford, who has scored seven goals in 16 United appearances, has the chance to impress Hodgson.
Explaining the omission of Everton defenders Leighton Baines and Jagielka, and Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, Hodgson added: 'Leighton hasn't played for us for well over a year.
'He was injured for a long time and it's good to see him back playing but in his absence people like Danny Rose, (Ryan) Bertrand and (Kieran) Gibbs have been filling the breach.
'Michael has played a part for us on a regular basis over these last two years and has been unfortunate with injuries but I've actually spoken to all three of those players and they were tough decisions.
'They're players that I respect and admire but you have to make a decision and there are only 23 players so I decided that on this occasion I would rob Peter to pay Paul in the sense of taking seven defenders rather than the classic eight, to give me a chance to take one more player in the midfield and forwards section.
'Unfortunately that means no Phil and it was a tough conversation but that's the kind of conversation you have to have, and I'm pleased I was able to speak to him before this announcement because I wouldn't have been very happy if he'd found out from this press conference.'
Everton defender Phil Jagielka (left) has failed to make Hodgson's squad for this summer's tournament
Fabian Delph (left), who has played a bit-part role in Manchester City's season, has been included in midfield
Newcastle winger Townsend, who lost his England place while struggling to get a game for former club Tottenham, was preferred over his Arsenal counterpart Walcott.
'Andros was unlucky to lose his place in the squad when he wasn't getting a regular game and he's gone to Newcastle, got a regular game, and done very well there,' added Hodgson.
'Theo unfortunately has not got such a regular game over the last few months and has had a few problems with injury. It's a tough decision of course but it's one you have to take.
'We've worked very hard over these qualifying games to analyse and think about the players we think are right for this occasion and this time there are a lot of players who haven't got a lot of experience in terms of international football.
'But I think that over the last couple of games we've played that they're an exciting bunch. They're hungry, enthusiastic and energetic and I think all of these things are positives.
'We can only hope that the faith we have in them is rewarded but the one thing I do know is that they won't be letting anybody down for want of trying.'
Andros Townsend, who plays his club football for recently-relegated Newcastle, has been named in the squad
Theo Walcott has endured yet another frustrating season with Arsenal and has failed to make the squad
Hodgson named his squad on Monday morning at Wembley after the final round of Premier League fixtures on Sunday - with the exception of Manchester United's abandoned clash with Bournemouth.
The 68-year-old was due to name the 23-man squad hoping to lead England to Euro 2016 glory last Thursday but decided to put it off as he contended with a number of injury concerns.
Last week, Danny Welbeck was ruled out for nine months after undergoing knee surgery on his right knee.
Welbeck suffered significant cartilage damage during the first half of Arsenal's 2-2 draw at Manchester City .
The official deadline for the Football Association to submit its finalised party to UEFA is May 31.
The Three Lions have warm-up games against Turkey, Australia and Portugal before the tournament's finals, which are being played in France between June 10 and July 10.
Danny Welbeck would almost certainly have been picked, but a knee injury has ruled the forward out
| Player | Club | League games | Clean sheets | England Caps | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fraser Forster | Southampton | 18 | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Joe Hart | Manchester City | 35 | 15 | 57 | 26 |
| Tom Heaton | Burnley | 46 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Player | Club | League games | Goals scored | England caps | England goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Bertrand | Southampton | 32 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Gary Cahill | Chelsea | 23 | 2 | 41 | 3 |
| Nathaniel Clyne | Liverpool | 33 | 1 | 11 | 0 |
| Danny Rose | Tottenham | 24 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Chris Smalling | Manchester United | 34 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| John Stones | Everton | 33 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Kyle Walker | Tottenham | 33 | 1 | 14 | 0 |
| Player | Club | League games | Goals scored | England caps | England goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dele Alli | Tottenham | 33 | 10 | 6 | 1 |
| Ross Barkley | Everton | 38 | 8 | 21 | 2 |
| Fabian Delph | Manchester City | 17 | 2 | 9 | 0 |
| Eric Dier | Tottenham | 37 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| Danny Drinkwater | Leicester City | 35 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Jordan Henderson | Liverpool | 17 | 2 | 23 | 0 |
| Adam Lallana | Liverpool | 30 | 4 | 21 | 0 |
| James Milner | Liverpool | 28 | 5 | 58 | 1 |
| Raheem Sterling | Manchester City | 31 | 6 | 20 | 2 |
| Andros Townsend | Newcastle | 16 | 4 | 10 | 3 |
| Jack Wilshere | Arsenal | 3 | 0 | 28 | 2 |
| Player | Club | League games | Goals scored | England caps | England goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Kane | Tottenham | 38 | 25 | 10 | 4 |
| Marcus Rashford | Manchester United | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Wayne Rooney | Manchester United | 27 | 7 | 109 | 51 |
| Daniel Sturridge | Liverpool | 14 | 8 | 17 | 5 |
| Jamie Vardy | Leicester City | 36 | 24 | 6 | 2 |