Danny Welbeck looks set to play a key role for England at the tournament
The Manchester United striker has edged ahead of Andy Carroll in manager Roy Hodgson’s plans for Monday’s Group D opener at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk and is now poised to cap a breakthrough season by carrying the nation’s hopes this summer.
Welbeck scored in last weekend’s 1-0 friendly win over Belgium and has impressed in training this week as Hodgson formulates the blueprint that he believes can unnerve the French defence.
Hodgson plans to put his players through another intensive session at the Hutnik Stadium in Krakow today before his team travel to Ukraine tomorrow but is ready to place his faith in Welbeck, 21.
He was among a group of England players who visited Oskar Schindler’s factory yesterday, while Liverpool striker Carroll and six other players made a chilling trip to the former Nazi death camp at Auschwitz.
We wouldn’t be going if we didn’t think we could win it
Ashley Young
Ashley Young is set to line up alongside Welbeck up front and he cut through the pessimism engulfing England’s Euro 2012 prospects, saying: “We wouldn’t be going if we didn’t think we could win it.”
Young is poised for a key role during the tournament, having emerged as
one of England’s most influential players during an unbeaten qualifying
campaign.
He believes that record, admittedly
achieved under former manager Fabio Capello, should bolster England’s
confidence despite the injury, suspension and selection headaches that
have disrupted their build-up. “There are a lot of good teams here and
we’re one of them,” said Young. “We qualified from the group stages in a
great way with everyone full of confidence, playing some great football
and scoring goals. As long we keep that going, we’re going to have a
great chance.”
England trained in front of 3,500
fans yesterday, with no repeat of the racist abuse that marred
Holland’s training in Krakow on Wednesday.
Senior players, including Steven Gerrard, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Scott Parker and Joe Hart all did work in the pool and gym.
Jermain Defoe is set to return before the France game after flying home following his father’s death.
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