Hodgson won’t rule out Rashford EURO 2016 call

England manager Roy Hodgson has cautiously opened the door to a Euro 2016 call-up for 18-year-old Manchester United breakthrough star Marcus Rashford by describing it as “not inconceivable”.

Rashford, who has only been capped at under-20 level, has made an astonishing start to life at Old Trafford since making his debut in February, scoring seven goals in 13 appearances. Hodgson is well furnished in the striking department, with skipper Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott all in contention for a place in his squad for France.

But he said: “Is it inconceivable that he could go with England? No, it's not inconceivable. But it looks unlikely to me with the current players we've got and the competition for places in that area of the field.”

Hodgson added: “I think it would be a very bold decision to put him in and I think it would mean possibly leaving someone behind who at the moment, in my opinion, has more reason to be called up. But you never know. The fact is it would be foolish as well to say, 'No, no, he's not ready, he can't do it.' I am sure he could do it. I am sure if there was enough spaces available and if we were taking 30, we'd certainly, probably be considering him.

“But when it's 23 and we've already got a bit of a headache with the front players -- who can we take, who might we have to leave out -- to put another one in there who is 19 years of age, has four or five games, is asking a lot. But I have been impressed with him.”

Hodgson, who was speaking to journalists during a media briefing in London, is due to announce his 23-man squad for Euro 2016 on May 12. Asked for his thoughts on the matter, United manager Louis van Gaal said on Thursday: “That you have to ask to other people, not to me. I don't want to interfere”.