Gareth Southgate has admitted it was “difficult” to leave Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson out of England’s squad for Euro 2024.

The England manager named an extended 33-man squad for the tournament on Tuesday, which will be cut to 26 players in early June.

Henderson and Rashford were among the most high-profile casualties, with the pair regulars under Southgate in the past. Southgate has revealed it was hard to omit the duo, but Rashford has paid the price for an indifferent season and injuries have hampered Henderson.

“These are, of course, difficult calls,” said Southgate. “You are talking about players that are very good players and who have been an important part of what we have done over a number of years. With Marcus, I just feel that other players in that area have had better seasons. It is as simple as that.

“Hendo has given himself every chance. The determining factor is the injury he picked up around the last camp. He has missed five weeks and just hasn’t been able to get to the intensity in the games since then.

“Look, he is a fantastic professional. That was a really difficult call to make because has been so important, so supportive in my time here.

“And I have to say all the boys, when I have spoken to them, Ben [Chiwell], Marcus, Jordan - who were the three that were with us last time - they were incredibly professional. Considering the disappointment, they dealt with it very well.”

Eric Dier was another who missed out on the squad, despite the centre-back impressing for Bayern Munich.

The defender joined the German side in January and he has been a regular for Bayern, helping them reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Given England’s injury problems in defence, it was thought Dier could earn a shock recall, but he has been overlooked.

“He has played very well for Bayern and I know that they are very, very happy with him,” said Southgate. “We think he is just behind the other guys we have selected.

“We watch every game. He had obviously played well in some big matches in the Champions League as well, so [we were] conscious of that. But we have assessed all of that right across the board.”