England welcome Holland in a friendly on Tuesday – the final match before Roy Hodgson selects his squad for Euro 2016.
Here, Sport360 looks at five talking points ahead of the glamour friendly at Wembley.
CAN DANNY DRINKWATER PROVE HIS EURO 2016 WORTH?
A wonderful season at Leicester has been rewarded with a maiden international call-up. Danny Drinkwater has not represented his country since under-19s level, but Hodgson is planning to throw him in on Tuesday. With Jack Wilshere and Fabian Delph injured, the Holland encounter represents a big opportunity for the Foxes midfielder to prove himself capable of transferring his Premier League form onto the international stage. If he manages it, Drinkwater may yet force his way into this summer’s squad.
IS DANNY ROSE ABLE TO ESTABLISH HIMSELF AS AN ENGLAND REGULAR?
The in-form Tottenham full-back enjoyed a debut to remember in Saturday’s 3-2 win against Germany. Rose performed manfully in the world champions’ backyard and is set to get another chance to underline his qualities, given he is the only left-back remaining in the squad following Ryan Bertrand’s withdrawal. It is, though, a position for which England are spoilt for choice, with Luke Shaw, Leighton Baines, Kieran Gibbs and Bertrand having all played there recently. Tuesday offers the chance for Rose to move up the pecking order.
CAN DANIEL STURRIDGE REPLICATE SATURDAY’S HEROES?
Tuesday will be the oft-injured Liverpool striker’s first England appearance since an underwhelming post-World Cup clash with Norway in September 2014. The 573-day wait for his 17th cap will end on Tuesday when Sturridge leads an attack that is far deeper and stronger than when he last played for his country. If fit, the striker will almost certainly go to France and an impressive display at Wembley will make Hodgson’s selection decision even tougher.
CAN THEO WALCOTT REIGNITE HIS SEASON?
One Premier League goal and a brace in the FA Cup at Hull is all Theo Walcott has mustered in 2016 – a poor goal ratio that has been compounded by some uninspiring displays. It has led, understandably, to some questions over the 27-year-old’s place in the England squad for these friendlies, never mind the Euros. A big display would be a timely boost to Walcott’s chances.
ARE HOLLAND OVER THEIR QUALIFYING BLIP?
Of the 54 nations that form UEFA, 24 are heading to France this summer – but Holland, the three-time World Cup runners-up and 1988 European champions, are amongst those to have missed out. They finished fourth in their qualifying group behind Czech Republic, Iceland and Turkey, with that failure symbolic of the declining fortunes of their domestic football. Holland’s 3-2 loss at home to France on Friday came in difficult circumstances after Johan Cruyff passed away, but Danny Blind’s side will be keen to make a statement on Tuesday.
