In the next week and a half there will be a number of friendlies played by the 24 nations heading to this summer’s European Championship in France. The break from European domestic action gives head coaches of those nations a chance to make some late decisions on their squad options.
England have arguably the pick of the international friendlies over the next week or so, as the Three Lions face European giants Germany and Holland. Roy Hodgson’s side visit Germany on Saturday, before facing the Dutch at Wembley on Tuesday night.
England boss Hodgson will be unable to call-on the likes of first choice ‘keeper Joe Hart, winger Raheem Sterling or captain Wayne Rooney, who will all miss out through injury.
Injuries to usual regular members of the starting eleven will afford Hodgson a chance to look at his other options. One new call-up is Leicester central midfielder Danny Drinkwater, who has played a key role in the Foxes title challenge this season.
The former-Manchester United youngster is expected to feature in one of the games for the Three Lions. The England boss may also be trying to figure out a way to get both talented youngsters Dele Alli and Ross Barkley into the team.
At club level often both play in the number ten role, so the Three Lions boss will look at a way to get the best out of both talented players. England are certainly not short of firepower with the Premier League’s leading scorers Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy in the squad.
Whether Roy Hodgson learns anything new remains to be seen, but he certainly has decent options in most positions ahead of those prestige friendly matches.