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Roy Hodgson explains why chosen Andros Townsend and not Theo Walcott for Euros

8 years ago
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Roy Hodgson says that it is Andros Townsend’s form at Newcastle United that has been the decider in his decision to name him in his 26 man provisional squad for the Euros.

Three names need to be dropped from this provisional squad by the end of the month but from what Roy Hodgson has had to say, it doesn’t seem as though the Newcastle winger is one of those in danger of missing out.

A big favourite of Hodgson in the past, the England boss said that Andros Townsend had been ‘unlucky to lose his place in the squad’ but surely Hodgson was left with no option, when Mauricio Pochettino made clear the winger wasn’t his type of player and totally froze him out of the first team picture at Tottenham.

Pointing to Townsend’s move to Newcastle paying off with regular football and a reminder of his talent. Roy Hodgson though also pointed to Theo Walcott’s lack of football as a major reason for his omission.

However, the England Manager was also keen to stress that it wasn’t necessarily a choice between the two, stating that Townsend and Walcott ‘are not similar players’.

News of Andros Townsend making this England squad will be greeted with a lot more enthusiasm than news of Moussa Sissoko’s inclusion for France after a shocking season – with only a handful of Newcastle games where he has done himself justice.

Roy Hodgson after naming his 26 man England squad:

“The extra cover that we have given ourselves will be finished with by the time we play Australia (27 May at Sunderland).

“I would like to tell the 23 then who will be on the plane to France.

“Leighton Baines has not played for us for over a year but Danny Rose and Ryan Bertrand has been filling in. Michael Carrick has played regularly for us but has been unfortunate with injuries.

“I spoke to them and Theo Walcott but you have to make a decision. It was a tough conversation but you have to do that as a coach.

“Walcott and Andros Townsend are not similar players. Townsend was unlucky to lose his place in the squad but since he has gone to Newcastle he has done very well. Walcott has not had regular games.”

The 26 man squad:

Goalkeepers: Hart, Forster, Heaton

Defenders: Bertrand, Cahill, Clyne, Rose, Smalling, Stones, Walker

Midfielders: Alli, Barkley, Delph, Dier, Drinkwater, Henderson, Lallana, Milner, Sterling, Townsend, Wilshere,

Strikers: Kane, Rashford, Rooney, Sturridge, Vardy

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