Hodgson set to hand Walcott or Townsend Euro 2016 lifeline as Welbeck awaits scan results
DANNY WELBECK is set to miss Euro 2016, leaving England coach Roy Hodgson contemplating whether to hand Theo Walcott or Andros Townsend a lifeline for the finals.
England's Roy Hodgson has Euro 2016 selection dilemma if Danny Welbeck fails to recover from injury
Hodgson's worst fears over Arsenal striker Welbeck are set to be confirmed today when he receives the results of a scan on the knee injury sustained in the first-half of Sunday's 2-2 draw with Manchester City.
England coach Hodgson and assistants Ray Lewington and Gary Neville will meet with medical staff at Wembley for an update on a number of players with the fitness of Welbeck top of the agenda.
Hodgson enjoys a good relationship with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, while the brother of England physio, Gary Lewin, works for the Gunners.
Updates on Liverpool's Jordan Henderson and Everton's Phil Jagielka will also be provided ahead of Hodgson naming his 23-man squad on Thursday for the championships in France this summer.
Welbeck was distraught on Sunday night with his prospects rated as gloomy as an injury-hit campaign suffered a new setback. A strain would sideline him for a few weeks with a tear meaning another lengthy lay-off.
Hodgson was expected to name Welbeck as one of five strikers in his squad along with Wayne Rooney, Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge and will discuss how that will affect his plans.
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The door has been left ajar for one of Walcott or Townsend to benefit although, alternatively, Hodgson could decide he now takes eight defenders and four forwards.
Townsend has impressed in Newcastle's bid to avoid relegation to the Championship and was hoping to feature on the standby list Hodgson will name along with his squad.
In contrast, Walcott's fortunes have stalled somewhat as he had been unable to hold down a regular place for Arsenal and has instead been pushed onto the periphery.