Danny Welbeck looks to have won the race to be England’s centre forward when their Euro 2012 campaign begins against France on Monday.

The Manchester United striker’s instinctive finish in last week’s 1-0 friendly win over Belgium has  convinced manager Roy Hodgson to pick him ahead of Andy Carroll as the replacement for Wayne Rooney, who is suspended.

Welbeck, 21, impressed again in training yesterday as Hodgson looked to settle on the right man to lead the line in front of Ashley Young.

Signed up: Danny Welbeck looks set to lead the line against France on Monday

But it was the quality of the deft lob over Belgium goalkeeper Simon Mignolet which made the biggest impact on the head coach before a tournament where he knows chances will be at a premium and clinical finishing is essential.

When he took the striker off after less than an hour it was to protect the ankle injury he collected in the Manchester derby close to the end of the season.

England’s medical staff are happy that the youngster will be capable of 90 minutes of competitive action now, though, and his running off the ball and pace on it has won him the vote.

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