Harry Kane, Theo Walcott Named in England Squad to Face Lithuania and Italy
Roy Hodgson named his England squad for matches against Lithuania and Italy, including Harry Kane.
Continue for updates.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Mason to Replace Injured Lallana
Monday, March 23
The FA confirmed that Ryan Mason will replace Adam Lallana, who had to drop out of the squad due to injury.
England Names Squad
Thursday, March 19
Hodgson has rewarded Kane for a terrific season in the Premier League with a place in his England squad ahead of fixtures against Lithuania and Italy.
The national team's official Twitter account confirmed Hodgson's selection:
Kane is the division's third top scorer with 16 goals for Tottenham Hotspur in a breakout campaign, per BBC Sport. Only Chelsea's Diego Costa and Manchester City's Sergio Aguero have managed more with the season's final two months approaching.
Hodgson discussed Kane's inclusion with the press, tweeted by Henry Winter of The Telegraph:
Oliver Kay of The Times commented on the striker's first call-up:
Kane signalled his delight on Twitter:
The Spurs hitman could play alongside Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge and Arsenal's Theo Walcott during his national debut.
Walcott is still trying to secure a first-team place with the Gunners after his recent spell on the sidelines. He has netted three goals in his last eight appearances for the north London club, per WhoScored.com, seemingly enough for Hodgson to give him the nod.
Sturridge has been recalled after also working through long-term injury problems on Merseyside. The 25-year-old has made just six Premier League starts this campaign, but has scored three goals, per WhoScored.
Hodgson expects Sturridge to continue improving as his fitness returns, per Winter:
As ever, a couple of inclusions are sure to split opinion. Andros Townsend continues to flit in and out of form for Spurs, but Alex Shaw of ESPN FC believes he is well short of deserving a place in the squad after his recent display against Manchester United:
Everton's Ross Barkley is included after enduring an extremely poor season, way below the standards many were expecting from the talented 21-year-old. Squawka noted how Barkley's driving runs are failing to produce an impact at Goodison Park:
Among the players unlucky to miss out are West Brom's Saido Berahino and Queens Park Rangers' Charlie Austin. Both strikers are in the Premier League's top six scorers this season, having netted 12 and 15, respectively, per BBC Sport.
Ashley Young will also be wondering how he didn't earn a place after massively improving his form under Louis van Gaal at United.
England head into the Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania with a 100 percent record in Group E, per UEFA.com. Hodgson's men secured a 3-1 win over Slovenia in November, having previously racked up wins over Switzerland, Estonia and San Marino.
Lithuania are fourth of six teams in the group. Igoris Pankratjevas' side have won two of their opening four fixtures, beating San Marino and Estonia before losing to Slovenia and being hammered 4-0 in Switzerland.
The Three Lions will certainly be heavy favourites when the two sides meet at Wembley on Mar. 27, particularly as Hodgson's side are aiming to qualify without surrendering a point. Once this fixture is complete, England will travel to Turin to face Italy in a friendly encounter.
Kane will be looking to mimic the form he has shown for Spurs by announcing himself on the international stage with a bang.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
