Roy Hodgson wise to buy himself time with England squad delay

Manager has put Euro 2016 announcement back to Monday

The injury to Danny Welbeck has forced Roy Hodgson to play for time (Getty Images)

It would not be a pre-tournament build-up for England if there were no injury concerns hanging over the manager’s head as he plotted the make-up of his 23-man squad.

From Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking ahead of the 1982 World Cup through to Wayne Rooney’s dodgy foot in 2006 and ankle in 2010, not forgetting Bryan Robson’s dislocating shoulder, Michael Owen’s knee and David Beckham’s metatarsal in 2002, every England assault on a major competition is compromised by injuries.

Roy Hodgson cannot escape that particular occupational hazard, but the England manager has at least sensibly bought himself some time and thinking space by delaying the announcement of his Euro 2016 squad until after the final round of Premier League fixtures this weekend.

Hodgson had been due to unveil his 23-man squad at Wembley on Thursday, but with Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson all still troubled by fitness concerns of varying degrees – Welbeck’s knee injury is almost certain to rule him out – the decision has been taken to wait a further four days in order to assess each player’s progress and safeguard against further injuries being sustained by key players on this week.

So far, Hodgson has been fortunate with the fitness of his most important players.

Welbeck’s injury, sustained playing for Arsenal against Manchester City last Sunday, was a cruel blow for a player deemed central to Hodgson’s plans, but Welbeck aside, England have avoided the setbacks suffered by the likes of Germany with Ilkay Gundogan, Belgium’s Vincent Kompany and France’s Kurt Zouma.

Wayne Rooney has returned to action following his two month knee injury lay-off and the likes of Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Dele Alli have mercifully remained fit – so far.

Alli and Vardy have even benefited from end of season breaks courtesy of suspensions, so Hodgson will draw together his squad without the usual concerns over the country’s best players.

What he must now decide is whether Wilshere has done enough, after little more than 90 minutes of action this season, to travel to France. Can he be risked in a midfield with Henderson also sidelined recently due to injury?

But by giving both Wilshere and Henderson further time to prove their fitness, Hodgson is also giving himself time to assess alternatives.

And with Welbeck likely to miss out, he has also handed the likes of Andro Townsend and Jesse Lingard – perhaps even Marcus Rashford – one last opportunity to prove their credentials to replace Welbeck.

With the Uefa squad deadline not falling until May 31, Hodgson still has the opportunity to make a late change, but this four-day delay is a wise move.