Monday 16 May 2016 09:49, UK
Marcus Rashford is not ready to appear for the England senior side at Euro 2016, Henry Winter said on Sunday Supplement.
Roy Hodgson will announce a squad on Monday for the friendlies ahead of the tournament in France, and with Danny Welbeck ruled out, the England manager may introduce a new face to the squad.
Manchester United striker Rashford, 18, has been in fine form since making his debut in February, scoring seven goals, but The Times' chief football writer Winter believes it's too early to throw him into the fold.
"I think it's too early for him. I saw him play for the England U21s at Doncaster and he just didn't look ready," Winter said.
"If you talk to the England age group developers, his path is being developed.
"He has had two games at U16, two games at U18, he hasn't featured too much for the England age group system so this is still quite new for him."
Both Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney made their major tournament debuts at the same age as Rashford, but both had featured for England several times previously.
Rashford will be invited to train with the England squad before their forthcoming friendlies against Australia and Portugal for experience but will not be included in the final Euro 2016 party, according to Sky sources, and The Sun's chief football writer Shaun Custis says nothing can be ruled out.
"Owen and Rooney did not have a pathway, they just went in there and we say Rashford will train with England but he won't go to the Euros.
"I don't think you can say that absolutely definitively. [Hodgson] might get two injuries today, you can't be absolutely sure.
"Hodgson is doing that for a reason. Even if Rashford has a one per cent chance, he wants to see how he mixes in and I think we should do that."
Jermain Defoe has also been on fine form for Sunderland this season, scoring 18 goals as the Black Cats secured their Premier League status for another year.
The 33-year-old, who has 19 goals in 55 caps, has not been involved with the England set up since 2013, but Custis would welcome him being involved in France.
"I've got no problem with Defoe being involved. Every times Defoe has played with England he gives it everything.
"A lot of his appearances have been as a substitute but he's got a great goalscoring record for England and when he comes on you think we might get a goal. That to me is a test of a striker."
