Roy Hodgson not replacing injured Danny Welbeck

Friday 29 May 2015
Europe's top scorer Danny Welbeck celebrates his goal against Lithuania

Roy Hodgson will not be calling up a replacement for Danny Welbeck after the Arsenal striker was ruled out of next month's double-header.

England travel to Dublin for a friendly on Sunday 7 June before they face a European Qualifier away in Slovenia a week later.

Hodgson last week selected a 24-man squad for the games, and included Welbeck - top scorer across all qualifying groups with six goals - despite doubts over his fitness. 

England Double-Header

International Match
Republic of Ireland v England
1pm, Sunday 7 June 2015
Aviva Stadium, Dublin

UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying
Slovenia v England
6pm (local), Sunday 14 June 2015
Stadion Sozice, Ljubljana

But the England boss says he made contingency plans in the event that the 24-year-old would not be fit for the Gunners' FA Cup Final and the internationals.

"The reason we wanted to [include Danny in the squad] is because we were hoping, just like Arsene [Wenger] was hoping, for him to be fit," said Hodgson.

"When Ray [Lewington] and I spoke to Arsene on the Wednesday before the squad announcement I said 'I am going to call him into the squad, what do you think?'

"He said, 'okay, put him in the squad. We are still hoping but don't be surprised if he doesn't make it'.

"That is why we added a couple of strikers, we took both Charlie Austin and Jamie Vardy knowing full well maybe we would lose Danny. So we are quite happy with our 23."

Roy Hodgson and Danny Welbeck

Danny Welbeck and Roy Hodgson during England training

He continued: "If someone else goes down - and it could happen because we have The FA Cup Final, these matches being played all over the world - then we would have to bring someone else in.

"Whether that would be another striker, I don't know."

Hodgson did reveal that Aston Villa's Tom Cleverley was close to an England recall. His performances for Tim Sherwood's team have helped the Villans avoid relegation from the Premier League and reach Saturday's Cup Final at Wembley.

The midfielder, on loan at Villa Park from Manchester United, made the most recent of his 13 appearances for the Three Lions in November 2013, and Hodgson admits if there are any more pull-outs from his squad, Cleverley is in frame for a call.

Tom Cleverley

Tom Cleverley helped Villa reach The FA Cup Final

"Cleverley was very unlucky to miss out on this selection. He was someone we discussed a lot," said Hodgson.

"In the end, with 24 names already, we decided we know Tom, he is not someone we need to get to know.

"We like him, trust him, we can call him up like that if we want, let's not make it 25. But if someone else went down, we have Tom up our sleeves."

Following England's two games in June, they then return to action in September with an away game in San Marino followed by their first home game of the new season against Switzerland.

Tickets for the Euro Qualifier against the Swiss on Tuesday 8 September are now available to order online from www.TheFA.com/ticketsFor further ticket details, click here.

By Jamie Bradbury FA Editor