Marcus Rashford will be given the chance to "knock someone off their perch" after Roy Hodgson included the uncapped 18-year-old in an expanded 26-man squad for Euro 2016.
Rashford, who has never even played for the under-21s, was the most eye-catching name announced by Hodgson at Wembley on Monday, having only made his Manchester United debut in February.
But seven goals in 16 appearances and an energetic, fearless approach have made him the chief beneficiary of Danny Welbeck's injury woe.
There is some irony in the fact that his inclusion comes ahead of Theo Walcott, who was handed a shock call-up at 17 for the 2006 World Cup having yet to feature for the Arsenal first team.
With Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy all ahead of him in the pecking order, Rashford is the likeliest forward to miss the cut but Hodgson insists that is not written in stone.
Rashford may get just one opportunity - against Australia on May 27 - with the FA Cup final ruling him out of the Turkey friendly and Hodgson keen to go into the Wembley send-off against Portugal with his final 23, but he has already shown an aptitude for making a big impression in a small time-frame.
"He's one of the contenders, of course. There's no reason, if he does exceptionally well, why he can't knock someone off their perch," said Hodgson.
"Marcus taking on that important role of centre-forward at Manchester United at quite a difficult period of time in the year hasn't gone unnoticed from our side. We're keen to see what he can do.
"In the week that we work with him and possibly a game or part of a game that he plays, we might start thinking 'we really need this fella, he is actually better than some of the others we were contemplating ahead of him certainly a few months ago'.
"Some people come from nowhere a bit quicker than others and his has been more akin to a Wayne Rooney or Raheem Sterling rise."
While that will be music to Rashford's ears, it will clearly take something special to disrupt the established order.
Fitness-allowing Rooney, Kane and Vardy appear untouchable, leaving Liverpool's Sturridge the most vulnerable to a late change of plan.
But Hodgson also has plenty of attack-minded players in midfield, with Sterling, Ross Barkley and Adam Lallana all happy to operate further forward.
"You'll see that the competition for places is quite enormous," said Hodgson.
"I am pretty certain that he looks down that list he will be thinking 'this won't be easy for me to break in' and neither should it be.
"I must make it clear that it will be harder than some people expect because the people who've played over the past two years have done a very good job for us."
The majority of the squad was as expected, Phil Jagielka the odd man out in defence as Hodgson opted for three specialist centre-backs covered by the versatile Eric Dier.
Two of the 11 midfielders will be pruned after the Australia match at the Stadium of Light, pending the physical condition of Wilshere and Henderson, who are short on minutes but highly rated enough to warrant special attention.
Rooney retains his place as captain, most capped player and record goalscorer - his tally of 51 compares to just 26 between the rest of the squad - but has neither sought nor received any reassurance about his role in the team.
Kane and Vardy have outshone him comfortably this season, leaving a selection poser that could run all the way to France.
"I don't have to decide that yet," offered Hodgson.
"Wayne Rooney has done a fantastic job for England - 109 games, 51 goals...that's one terrific record and there aren't many players in Europe, at international level, who reach that level of success.
"He's been very important to us in the qualifiers and we're very grateful for the goals he's scored and the work he's done for us.
"But in terms of selecting a team for Russia, I've got three matches before that. Who knows what will happen in between?
"To my knowledge he isn't saying 'I am demanding I play in the opening game'. He's not demanding that he plays in this position in the opening game, and I'm under no pressure whatsoever to select him in the opening game unless I feel he's the best man for the job."
Hodgson also confirmed he had spoken to Walcott, Jagielka and Michael Carrick to break the bad news prior to his appearance at HQ.
"I've actually spoken to all three of those players, they were tough decisions and players I respect and admire," he said.
"But you have to make a decision, there's only 23 places."
GOALKEEPERS
JOE HART (Manchester City, 19/04/87, 57 caps, 0 goals)
England's established number one and an experienced campaigner, Hart has been at the sharp end for club and country for several years. Will be asked to lead and organise.
FRASER FORSTER (Southampton, 17/03/88, 5 caps, 0 goals)
Returned from 10 months out injured to set a new club record of six straight clean sheets earlier this season. An able deputy.
TOM HEATON (Burnley, 15/04/86, 0 caps, 0 goals)
Named in the Championship team of the season after his consistently solid performances helped the Clarets win the title. As clear third choice he will travel as emergency cover ahead of Ben Foster.
DEFENCE
NATHANIEL CLYNE (Liverpool, 05/04/91, 11, 0 goals)
Now fully settled into life at Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, he brings energy to everything he does from right-back and caught the eye in the friendly win over Germany.
KYLE WALKER (Tottenham, 28/05/90, 14 caps, 0 goals)
Has flourished under Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs and will be battling Clyne for a starting spot despite featuring in just one of the qualifiers.
DANNY ROSE (Tottenham, 02/07/90, 2 caps, 0 goals)
Has timed his run perfectly having only made his senior bow in March, but Rose's showing against Germany and his form since makes a compelling case for him to start the tournament at left-back.
GARY CAHILL (Chelsea, 19/12/85, 41 caps, 3 goals)
A figure of some seniority now, Cahill's experience is valued by Roy Hodgson, who will be hoping the centre-half will be not be adversely affected by Chelsea's dire season.
CHRIS SMALLING (Man Utd, 22/11/89, 23 caps, 0 goals)
The post-Ferguson years have not been kind to many at Old Trafford, but Smalling's authority and consistency have risen and he is rapidly building his international credentials.
RYAN BERTRAND (Southampton, 05/08/89, 7 caps, 0 goals)
Still lacking meaningful international experience almost four years after his debut, but continues to impress with Saints and earns his spot in what has become a crowded field at left-back.
JOHN STONES (Everton, 28/05/94), 8 caps, 0 goals)
Still regularly linked with #40million transfers to the Champions League elite but dropped by a struggling Everton side earlier in the campaign. Question marks over his confidence, if not his talent, yet remains a big part of the future.
MIDFIELD
DELE ALLI (Tottenham, 11/04/96, 6 caps, 1 goal)
The PFA young player of the year and a driving force behind Spurs' title push, Alli's versatility and range of skills means England's main dilemma will be how to get the most from him.
JORDAN HENDERSON (Liverpool, 17/06/90), 23 caps, 0 goals)
A badly-timed knee injury left the midfielder sweating over his place but when fully fit his industry and work-rate are important assets in the anchor role.
JAMES MILNER (Liverpool, 04/01/86, 58 caps, 1 goal)
The well-travelled 30-year-old has already hinted he will consider his international future after the tournament, but for now he adds an experienced head to the more dynamic talents around him and can contribute a leadership role without starting.
ERIC DIER (Tottenham, 15/01/94, 4 caps, 1 goal)
A revelatory showing at the base of the midfield in the 3-2 friendly win over Germany, when he also opened his goalscoring account, made him a lock-in. Offers defensive nous and comfort on the ball in that role and versatility across the back four.
FABIAN DELPH (Man City, 05/05/91, 9 caps, 0 goals)
Has struggled without notable success to make himself a first-choice since swapping Aston Villa for the Etihad. He is likely to be on the fringes in France too, but comes with some experience of big European nights.
ADAM LALLANA (Liverpool, 10/05/88, 21 caps, 0 goals)
A regular fixture in the Roy Hodgson era, but still awaiting his defining moment in the Three Lions. Malleable enough to succeed in a variety of positions and systems, but may have to make the most of limited opportunities.
ROSS BARKLEY (Everton, 05/12/93, 21 caps, 2 goals)
Has had his best season in terms of goals but few would argue Barkley's progress has been serene. A victim, perhaps, of Everton's downward trajectory and Hodgson will hope a change of scenery brings out the best in one of his most skilful players.
JACK WILSHERE (Arsenal, 01/01/92, 28 caps, 2 goals)
Another season of injury woe for the 24-year-old, but his bad luck ceased in time for him to get back on the pitch before the end of the campaign. Hodgson is a huge admirer of the elegant midfielder and considers him worth a fitness gamble.
DANNY DRINKWATER (Leicester, 05/03/90, 1 cap, 0 goals)
A Premier League winners' medal, an England debut and now possibly a place on the plane to France: 2016 has been the year of Drinkwater's dreams. But his selection owes nothing to sentiment and everything to his indefatigable showings in the Foxes engine room.
RAHEEM STERLING (Man City, 08/12/94, 20 caps, 2 goals)
His big money move to the Etihad Stadium has not been a roaring success so far and there is a concerning inconsistency in his game. But he has pace, tricks and unpredictability in his favour and netted twice in qualifying.
ANDROS TOWNSEND (Newcastle, 16/07/91, 10 caps, 3 goals)
Started the season with his Tottenham career going up in smoke and ended it with relegation. His surge of form at the back end of the season was not enough to keep the Magpies up but it did turn Hodgson's head.
FORWARDS
WAYNE ROONEY (C) (Man Utd, 24/10/85, 109 caps, 51 goals)
Captain. Record goalscorer. Most decorated player in the squad. What more is there to say about Wayne Rooney? Quite a lot, as it turns out. A star in qualifying but outperformed over the past season by a handful of strikers and debate rages as to how best he can now be used.
HARRY KANE (Tottenham, 28/07/93, 10 caps, 4 goals)
Has now enjoyed two barnstorming seasons in the Premier League and is the home-grown symbol of Spurs' compelling rebirth. Has carried that confidence into the early part of his international career and looks England's most obvious goal threat.
JAMIE VARDY (Leicester, 11/01/87, 5 caps, 2 goals)
The more he terrorises defences with his fast, direct runs and tops up his goal tally with a sniper's precision, the harder it is to believe he ever had to rise so far through the ranks. England will look to harness his hunger.
DANIEL STURRIDGE (Liverpool, 01/09/89, 17 caps, 5 goals)
Injury problems meant he slipped off England's radar for the best part of 18 months but while he may not possess the sharpest all-round game he is an instinctive goalscorer and is used to being used in an impact role by Jurgen Klopp.
MARCUS RASHFORD (Man Utd, 31/10/97, 0 caps, 0 goals)
A shock call for the precocious 18-year-old, who has taken his unexpected chance at Manchester United with relish. Seven goals in 16 appearances for the Red Devils is a small sample to work from but there is a fearlessness and verve that has led Hodgson to hand him this chance.