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Report: Welbeck expects to miss Euro 2016; Walcott, Townsend candidates to replace him

Reuters

Danny Welbeck is prepared for the worst.

The Arsenal striker, who sustained a right knee problem during Sunday's draw with Manchester City, underwent scans on Monday to assess the severity of the ailment. While the results will not be passed along to England boss Roy Hodgson until Tuesday, Dominic Fifield of the Guardian reports the versatile attacker expects to receive confirmation of a meniscus injury, and is "increasingly resigned" to missing Euro 2016.

Matt Law of the Telegraph adds that Welbeck, 25, has already told those close to him that he will miss out on the tournament, with the former Manchester United man said to be (understandably) "devastated" by the unfortunate development.

Hodgson and the rest of his coaching staff will convene at Wembley on Tuesday as they finalize their 23-man squad for the summer's competition.

The roster will be revealed on Thursday.

Related - Predicting the XI: How England should line up at Euro 2016

Welbeck, who returned in February from a 10-month absence following surgery on his left knee, was expected to be a key part of Hodgson's team in France. A personal favourite of the gaffer thanks to both his versatility and willingness to put in defensive work down the flanks, the angular forward scored six goals during the Three Lions' qualifying campaign for the tournament. He's also found the net five times and chipped in with two assists for the Gunners since his return.

Both Fifield and Law add that Welbeck's expected absence will open the door for either Theo Walcott or Andros Townsend, with Hodgson and his staff mulling over which of the two pacey wingers to include in the squad.

Walcott has not started a match for Arsenal since March, but would offer similar versatility to Welbeck given his ability to operate centrally or on the wing. Townsend, meanwhile, lacks the same ability to play multiple positions, but has the advantage of having enjoyed regular first-team football since his move to Newcastle in January.

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