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Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshere given England encouragement by Roy Hodgson

England midfielder Jack Wilshere (L) trains alongside Jordan Henderson (R)
Image: Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson must prove their fitness but will be given time to do so, says Roy Hodgson

England manager Roy Hodgson insists he will give Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshere as much time as possible to prove they are fit enough to be included in his final 23-man squad for Euro 2016.

Liverpool captain Henderson damaged lateral collateral ligaments in his left knee against Borussia Dortmund in March, ruling him out for 10 matches.

The 25-year-old midfielder returned for the final league game of the season against West Brom but was an unused substitute in the Reds' 3-1 defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League final in Basel on Wednesday night.

England midfielder Jack Wilshere (L) trains alongside Jordan Henderson (R)
Image: Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson must prove their fitness but will be given time to do so, says Roy Hodgson

Wilshere, 24, has endured another season derailed by injury but made two appearances off the bench against Sunderland and Manchester City before starting the final Premier League game of the season against Aston Villa.

Hodgson is particularly pleased to have Henderson back in the fold but stressed both players must prove to him they are fully fit before he will select them in his final squad.

"The mere fact Henderson is in contention is an enormous bonus because when the injury occurred, we were told to work on the basis that it would keep him out of the Euros because it would take a longer recovery time," Hodgson said.

"He, alongside Jack (Wilshere), are the reasons we have extended our squad from the usual 23 to 26 because we do need to assess them.

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"We do need to be sure that if we are going to select them, they will be the Jordan Henderson and the Jack Wilshere that we know and not players that are recovering to be that player again.

"We have to be satisfied with them. An international tournament puts an awful of demand on a player physically."

England have friendly matches against Turkey on Sunday and Australia on Friday before the May 31 deadline to confirm the final squad to UEFA. 

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