Marcus Rashford to start against Australia

England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed that he will hand a debut to Marcus Rashford during Friday’s Euro 2016 warm-up match against Australia.

The 18-year-old only made his senior club debut in February, but eight goals in 18 appearances for Manchester United since then earned him a place in Hodgson’s provisional 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament.

Daniel Sturridge is a doubt for the match due to a calf strain, and Hodgson confirmed that the Liverpool striker’s absence would open the door for Rashford to play a “serious part” in the game.

“If Sturridge isn’t fit tomorrow then I think you’ll all work out [Rashford] is going to start the game. I’m happy with that, I’m more than content he can handle the situation,” he told reporters.

“It doesn’t take a lot of detective work to work that out, with me wanting to rest [Jamie] Vardy and [Harry] Kane. There was no doubt that my original intention was to choose between Sturridge, Rashford and possibly one other.

Friday’s match at the Stadium of Light is the last warm-up game before Hodgson must pick his final 23-man squad for the tournament.