LONDON. — Sam Allardyce has explained how he selected his first England soccer squad after making a few controversial decisions. The successor to Roy Hodgson axed Ross Barkley and Jack Wilshere from the group that travelled to France for Euro 2016, while also demoting Marcus Rashford to the Under-21s.Meanwhile, he gave a first call-up to West Ham’s former non-league winger Michail Antonio.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Allardyce explained: “We made our mind up, all my staff. It’s not just me, I’m there to make the final decision but we discuss every element over the last four to six weeks, particularly since the season started. What sort of pre-season they have had, what happened last season, the start they’ve had to this season and looking at the balance of the squad.”

Talking specifically about Everton midfielder Barkley, who has made a strong start to the season, Allardyce said: “It’s been a well thought-out squad, we have been in deep discussions and had to make some very difficult decisions, none more so than Ross Barkley. For him it’s disappointing, the door is always open for Ross but at this moment I felt the squad I picked is right.

“It was much more difficult picking this squad than it was one in the Premier League. Hopefully the players will make it a lot easier or a lot more difficult, like the Ross Barkley decision. I hope every decision I make is questioned on the form of the player at the time.”

It appears Rashford’s hopes of making an impact on the international stage will depend heavily on first breaking into Jose Mourinho’s starting XI at Manchester United.

“If he’s breaking into Manchester United’s team, he will be in my squad, whenever that’s announced,” Allardyce explained after Rashford was named in Gareth Southgate’s Under-21s team to play Norway.

“But because of his inclusion only as a substitute — as good as it was against Hull City — I think that the value of having probably a full game with Gareth will be invaluable to him and, later on, for us. A bit like Harry Kane and people like that in the past.

“He made a massive impact last season, yes, but he’s only a young man, let’s not heap too much pressure on him just yet. Let him go and have a feel playing for the Under-21s; hopefully he’s a star for them, scores goals for them and gives me that decision next time around on the next squad I pick.”

West Ham winger Antonio is the only new player named in Allardyce’s squad that didn’t get a call from Hodgson.

“The journey,” said Allardyce, when asked to explain why he selected Antonio. “The quality of the player that has shown through in every league he has played. The impact he had at the end of last season and the start of this, his attacking flair, his quality for final-third delivery, and his goal record from a wide position.

“I think that that journey is something that deserves to be in this squad and me to have a look at as a potential player going forward.

“It shows if you’ve got guts and termination and desire, how much it means (to you) . . . then he goes forward and creates a career for him which finally ends in the Premier League and finally with us in this squad.”

England play Slovakia in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Along with Antonio, Luke Shaw and Phil Jagielka return to the squad after injuries last season kept them out of contention for a place in Hodgson’s squad for Euro 2016.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Michail Antonio (West Ham United), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Strikers: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City). — Sky Sports.

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