Euro 2016: Roy Hodgson says England squad is tilted towards assault

Administrator Roy Hodgson says his last 23-man England squad for the European Championships depends on assault.

What's more, that is the reason he picked Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford in front of Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater.

Hodgson, talking before Thursday's last benevolent against Portugal at Wembley, said his choice was "tilted towards a hostile methodology".

He included: "It turned into an issue of do I take the additional assailant or midfielder? That is the way Rashford came to fruition."

Hodgson's side start their Group B crusade in France against Russia on 11 June, before meeting Wales on 16 June and Slovakia on 20 June.

Eighteen-year-old Rashford's fast ascent into the England squad, scoring on his introduction against Australia a week ago, was depicted as "unimaginable for his age" by skipper Wayne Rooney.

Furthermore, Hodgson included: "Rashford's had that awesome end to the season and it will be extremely intriguing to find in a squad of 23 whether he can bring those qualities at a more elevated amount."

Hodgson wrong to drop Drinkwater - Shearer

Hodgson, 68, has been condemned for picking only three perceived focal safeguards however he is certain England will be strong in barrier.

"We think safeguarding is particularly a group occupation and we can't simply depend on a back four and a goalkeeper," he said.

"We require incredible portability and extraordinary running energy to guard in that way. With this squad they have the capacity to give us that.

"Frequently in a competition the players that get harmed or endure an absence of structure are the folks at the front line, the folks who have the effect or score the objectives."

He included he was cheerful he had such a large number of good players to put on the field.

"Frameworks win you nothing and football players win you diversions," he said. "In the event that they perform anything like they're fit for we'll be an extreme group to beat."
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