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Steve McManaman exclusive: Rashford shows Sterling how to make an impact

Former England footballer Steve McManaman wonders if we have seen the last of both Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane at Euro 2016 following their underwhelming campaigns so far

Steve McManaman exclusive: Rashford shows Sterling how to make an impact

Roy Hodgson had to take Raheem Sterling off at half-time in England’s Euro 2016 game against Wales - and now I doubt we will see the Manchester City winger starting another game in this tournament.

Sterling is a young man who appears to have lost all his confidence since his massive move from Liverpool to Manchester City last summer and I felt a little sorry for him as some of the England fans in lens turned against him after a first half display that highlighted his collapse of self belief.

He missed a big chance and didn’t seem to have the drive we associated with him in his Liverpool days, but we have to appreciate that this is a young kid who is still learning his trade at the highest level.

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However, the idea that Sterling is a little too raw to make an impact at the highest level of the game is undermined by the impression Marcus Rashford made when he came off the bench for the closing stages of the game against Wales.

Manchester United starlet Rashford is younger than Sterling and has far less experience at club and international level, but he had an impact when he came off the bench and looked composed and mature playing at a senior international tournament.

Rashford looks to be a good option coming off the bench and maybe that is where Sterling can also be effective as he looks to come on and make an impact when legs are tiring late on.

Without wishing to kick the lad when he is down, I don’t expect Sterling to get back into the England starting line-up for the final group game against Slovakia and you wonder whether the same story is true for Harry Kane, who was also replaced at half-time after another under-par display.

Kane deserved to be recognised as England’s best striker heading into Euro 2016, but the Spurs man was not at his best against Russia last weekend and struggled to get involved in the game in the opening 45 minutes against Wales.

Kane will come again, I have no doubt about that.

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He has proved himself to be a quality forward and with England now looking assured of a place in the knock-out stages, he will have a role to play in the latter stages of the competition.

The 2-1 win against Wales provided compelling evidence that England’s squad strength will be vital to their hopes in a competition that will hopefully include another five matches over the next three weeks for Roy Hodgson’s players.

It was Hodgson's two substitutes Jamie Vardy and Sturridge who proved to be the English match winners after they came off the bench in Lens and maybe Sterling and Kane could be the heroes for England at Euro 2016.

At least Hodgson and England have a future in the tournament now, which was far from assured after the a poor first half display against Wales.