England squad news 'leaked' early as Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson snubbed

Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford are reportedly set to be left out of England’s provisional Euro 2024 squad. The Ajax midfielder has been in the Three Lions dressing room at the last six major tournaments, but manager Gareth Southgate is poised to go in a different direction, with a selection of youngsters given a shot to impress.

Henderson has been to three World Cups and three European Championships with England, racking up 81 caps and establishing himself as a leading voice in the dressing room. But his stock at club level has fallen since he left Liverpool last summer.

A disastrous few months at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq preceded a move to Ajax in January. Despite returning to a prominent European league, the 33-year-old has seemingly failed to make the cut.

Southgate is set to name his provisional training squad on Tuesday ahead of Euro 2024. The long list of approxtimately 30 players will be cut down to 26 by the deadline on June 7.

According to The Athletic, Henderson won’t be included in either squad, guaranteeing that he’ll watch this summer’s tournament from afar. The same report states that Curtis Jones, who has never been capped for the England senior side, is expected to be included.

Liverpool midfielder Jones has a wealth of experience with the Three Lions at youth level and well over 100 appearances for the Reds on his CV, although making the final 26-man Euros squad remains a tall order.

There is also set to be room for goalkeeper James Trafford, who lost his place in relegated Burnley’s starting line-up in early March. Meanwhile, The Daily Mail report that Levi Colwill, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, Marc Guehi, Dean Henderson, Jarrad Branthwaite and Luke Shaw are poised to receive good news.

Henderson’s omission should pique the interest of other England midfielders hoping to be included by Southgate. The Sunderland academy graduate was hopeful of selection when, back in March, he spoke on Southgate attending his Ajax debut. “It was nice to see that he is keeping an eye on me,” he admitted.

“I’ve got to focus on my job here and if I’m doing that well and performing well then that gives me the best possible opportunity to get in the England squad. I definitely feel I can offer something to the national team. Of course I feel I can help the squad and the team going forward in the next camp and hopefully in the summer.”

England’s expanded squad will contest warm-up matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park and Iceland at Wembley before Southgate names his final 26 for the Euros, where the manager will hope to avenge his side’s defeat in the final three years ago.