Hodgson discusses selection dilemmas

England boss Roy Hodgson admits he will face some tough decisions when he selects his final 23-man squad for Euro 2016, but he insists he will not by influenced by fleeting form.

The Three Lions head into this summer’s tournament in good spirits as they won all ten of their qualifying matches, while they also enjoyed a recent 3-2 friendly success over world champions Germany.

The likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Jamie Vardy have burst onto the international scene during the campaign, while other players such as Andy Carroll and Marcus Rashford have been tipped to challenge for a place in Hodgson’s squad.

Hodgson admits that the door is always open for players to force their way into his plans, but he is adamant that fleeting form will not guarantee the likes of Carroll a place in his squad.

Hodgson said: “We know Andy, we know his qualities. In an ideal world, certainly, if you had a lot of places at your disposal, you’d always include a guy like him because he is exceptional in the air.”

“But I’m certainly not going to pick him on the basis of ‘he scored a hat-trick, so therefore he has to be in the England team’. “

The 68-year-old believes it is important he also stays loyal to the players who helped England qualify for the finals and he is keen to not make any rash decisions ahead of his squad announcement on May 12.

He added: “Maybe before we start wanting to throw out the guys who have done so well for the latest shout, the latest ice-cream flavour… we should show a little bit of respect to what they have done as well.”

England will face Russia, Wales and Slovakia in Group B of the tournament and they are available at 9.00 to claim their first major title since the 1966 World Cup.