Roy Hodgson to use youthful England line-up versus French

Monday 16 Nov 2015
Roy Hodgson talks to his players during training

Roy Hodgson is set to field a youthful line-up when England meet France at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night.

Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph has been ruled out of the Three Lions' final game of the year as a precaution and Hodgson has drafted in Tottenham Hotspur's Ryan Mason as a replacement. 

It follows the arrival of Manchester United's former Under-21s forward Jesse Lingard, who met up with the squad on Sunday when Michael Carrick and Jamie Vardy were added to the list of absentees after Friday's game in Alicante.

England v France

Breast Cancer Care International
8pm, Tuesday 17 November 2015
Wembley Stadium connected by EE

During training on Monday morning, only Delph was missing from the session while Hodgson also invited two young Tottenham players to take part - Harry Winks, an England U20s midfielder, and striker Shayon Harrison. 

And as the Three Lions look to bounce back from the 2-0 defeat to current European champions Spain, Hodgson hopes those selected can continue to stake their claim for a place in the 23-man squad that heads to Euro 2016.

"This match would never have taken on the importance we were hoping because so many players are unavailable for the game," said Hodgson.

"It will be a very young team, six players under the age of 22. 

"Although I would have liked all the players that we are thinking of for the Euros to be available, and not gone too far down an experimental route, the way these two matches have panned out it is experimental from our point of view.

"Today we lost Fabian Delph, alongside Vardy and Carrick - three of the players who are more experienced, so we are in a difficult situation in terms of having a lot of players to choose from and we are playing against a very good team.

"With all these players missing, who we believe come March will be back in the fold and adding to the competition for a place in the 23 [to go to Euro 2016], I didn't want to turn to an individual for one game who would not have a chance again in the future.

Wayne Rooney and Roy Hodgson speak to the press

Wayne Rooney and Roy Hodgson address the media

"That explains the inclusion of Jesse Lingard and when we lost Delph we turned to Ryan Mason, because we're pursuing a policy that we set out some time ago and we are trying to stay faithful to it."

And captain Wayne Rooney backed-up Hodgson's stance of selecting those he deems will represent the future of the national team, both at next summer's European Championship and beyond.

"Over the last 18 months I have been very excited by this team," he said.

"There are a lot more young players that have come into the squad now and it is a great opportunity for them to represent England against a good France team.

Jesse Lingard trains with the senior squad

Jesse Lingard, Harry Kane and Shayon Harrison

"We need to be together and try to put our game-plan into effect, because we know it will be tough.

"As an England captain and an England fan I love that the manager has faith in the youngsters and will reward them for their performances in the club teams."

Rooney added: "I don't think there is anything to gain from bringing someone in for one game and not looking to the future.

"It's great for the future of English football and it's a big opportunity for those young lads."

By FA Staff