Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane was on Wednesday named in England Under-21s' provisional 27-man squad for this year's European Championship, but Manchester United's Luke Shaw was left out
Harry Kane
London: Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane was on Wednesday named in England Under-21s' provisional 27-man squad for this year's European Championship, but Manchester United's Luke Shaw was left out.
Harry Kane
Kane, 21, was elected the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Young Player of the Year after scoring 20 Premier League goals and made a goal-scoring England senior debut against Lithuania in March. Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino has voiced concerns about Kane playing too much, but the striker has been selected by England Under-21 coach Gareth Southgate for the June 17-30 tournament in the Czech Republic.
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"He's had a fantastic season first and foremost and he's been a big part of our team, and I think that's important for all of the group," Southgate told a press conference at Wembley Stadium. "(It is) a great stage for Harry to show people his ability on the international stage in a top tournament and good for his development, and good for the group, so we're able to take as strong a squad as we can."
Left-back Shaw, 19, was also expected to be included in the squad, which will be reduced to 23 players prior to the tournament. But United manager Louis van Gaal recently called for him to be spared the trip, after a debut season at Old Trafford in which the teenager has been dogged by injuries. "I've spoken with Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal," Southgate said.
"Medically, he (Shaw) is not going to be fit. We were always going to lose someone to fitness and, hopefully, he will be the only one." Everton defender John Stones, 20, was included in the squad, but his 21-year-old midfield club-mate Ross Barkley was left out. West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino and Burnley striker Danny Ings were also selected, while there was a first call-up for Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Southgate's side, who dropped just two points in qualifying, have been drawn in Group B alongside Portugal, Sweden and Italy. England senior manager Roy Hodgson will announce his squad, on Thursday, for next month's friendly against Ireland and the 2016 European Championship qualifier against Slovenia.
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