Jarrod Bowen among contenders to take Marcus Rashford’s England spot

Daniel Brown

Rashford has scored just five goals in 24 appearances

Marcus Rashford is reportedly set to be dropped from England’s squad for the upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and the Ivory Coast.

The Manchester United attacker has not featured for Gareth Southgate’s side since the Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, after shoulder surgery ruled him out of the start of the season.

Rashford has registered just five goals and two assists in his 24 appearances for the Red Devils since returning to the side. The 24-year-old started on the bench in Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to rivals Manchester City in the derby.

He was brought on in the second-half at the Etihad Stadium, but was unable to make the desired impact as Ralf Rangnick’s side struggled to lay a glove on Pep Guardiola’s men.

As reported by ESPN, Rashford’s underwhelming form is set to see him dropped by Southgate for the two international friendlies at Wembley later this month.

🗞 Gareth Southgate is set to drop Marcus Rashford from the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast. Jadon Sancho expected to return to the squad. [@MarkOgden_]

— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) March 8, 2022

The Three Lions will face-off against Switzerland on March 26, before welcoming the Ivory Coast to the capital on March 29.

The report adds that Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka are all expected to be named in the squad, while Jadon Sancho is also set to return.

Southgate is unlikely to alter his stance of selecting only players who are performing regularly for their clubs.

West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen is in contention for his first senior call-up, with the return to fitness of Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin – seen as Harry Kane’s cover – also potentially impacting Rashford’s chances of being selected.

ESPN say that sources suggest Southgate is an admirer of Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, however, the 23-year-old is not expected to make the next squad after recently returning from a lengthy injury lay-off.

Should Rashford be dropped from the squad, he would be left with just two international breaks – in June and September – to impress the Three Lions boss prior to the World Cup in Qatar, which begins in November.

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