England manager Roy Hodgson has challenged his players to lay down a marker in the coming friendlies.

A friendly double-header against World Cup holders Germany in Berlin today and Holland at Wembley on Tuesday comes as Hodgson begins to finalise his plans for who will make the cut for Euro 2016 in France.

With captain Wayne Rooney, first-choice goalkeeper Joe Hart, Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere, Phil Jones, Ryan Bertrand, Luke Shaw and Fabian Delph all missing out through injury this time, there are opportunities opening up for players who may have been facing a summer holiday rather than competitive action.

Danny Rose and Danny Drinkwater could make their debuts in the clash in Germany, while there are a number of other players looking to assure themselves of a place in the reckoning.

Hodgson often stays loyal to players whom he has developed trust in, with Danny Welbeck recalled after overcoming a 10-month injury lay-off and Arsenal team-mate Theo Walcott also included despite his poor club form.

Walcott has suffered a dead leg in preparation to the game in Berlin and is a doubt, having only warmed up with the squad before training alone on the eve of the clash.

With so many regular squad members currently out injured and two men hoping to make their debuts and impress in time to make the squad, Hodgson is not ready to sign off on his final choices for Euro 2016.

“We will have three more before the final squad is selected,” he said.

“It is by no means a be-all and end-all situation but at the same time we take the game very seriously and I shall learn some important lessons I’m sure.

“I can’t guarantee that every single player will get 90 minutes in a game but, at the same time, in principle we are going to utilise the whole squad and at least give people the chance, in these final encounters before I have to name the 23, to put a marker down.”

Drinkwater’s inclusion comes as he helps to keep Leicester top of the Premier League table, but upset a number of fans who believe West Ham captain Mark Noble has been producing a similar standard over a longer period.

Friendlies

Played Yesterday
Armenia vs Belarus 0-0
Luxembourg vs Bosnia 0-3
Slovakia vs Latvia 0-0
Ireland vs Switzerland 1-0
Netherlands vs France 2-3
Portugal vs Bulgaria late

Playing Today
Russia vs Lithuania 17.00
Austria vs Albania 17.30
Poland vs Finlandc 17.30
Hungary vs Croatia 18.00
Germany vs England 20.45

Tomorrow
Romania vs Spain 19.45

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