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GATESHEAD, England (AP) — England striker Daniel Sturridge has picked up another injury, potentially affecting his chances of being selected for the European Championship.
England manager Roy Hodgson said Thursday that Sturridge has a calf injury that has prevented him from training and is a doubt to play in the warmup match against Australia on Friday. Hodgson has until Tuesday to finalize his 23-man squad for the tournament in France.
England's first game at Euro 2016 is against Russia on June 11 in Group B.
Sturridge has been beset by injury problems in recent years. His latest injury increases the possibility of 18-year-old Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford's fairytale season being extended to include the Euros.
Hodgson said Thursday that Rashford will make his debut against Australia in Sunderland — as a starter if Sturridge isn't fit. Rashford only made his United debut in February.
"It's pretty obvious Rashford is going to play a serious part in the game," said Hodgson, who is resting strikers Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy on Friday.
"I'm happy with that, I'm content he'll handle the situation. I would have preferred, I suppose, to have avoided all the headlines that will come with a debut at such a young age and after such a meteoric rise. At the moment, it looks like he will be starting."
Hodgson had previously said he would announce his 23-man squad soon after the Australia game, but he will now "leave it as long as I possibly can."
"A lot of things can happen in football on a day-to-day basis," Hodgson said.
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