How will England fare this week? Fancy a bet? How about a bonus as well?

It is time for international friendlies and I must admit I haven't watched a lot of these since the time of Sven Goran Erikson as England manager and the amount of substitutes he used. I understand that the England manager has conversations with club managers and tries to keep them onside, especially at this crucial time of the season, but these matches must mean something to the supporters, the players and the England team. This is particularly relevant in the run up to a major tournament, so let's take a look at what England and Roy Hodgson might find out from the upcoming friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands.

With an injury to Joe Hart, this is a chance for the other goalkeepers to stake their claim as the official number two in the squad. Hart's form has been indifferent this season and he has grown more susceptible to injuries so the position as back-up has a value in the England squad. Jack Butland appears to be at the front of this queue at the moment, but I see Fraser Forster as the best keeper in the squad at the moment. It will be an interesting watch.

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The other area of complete interest in these two friendlies is the attack. Competition exists elsewhere in the team but the fans most want to see is if we can survive (or even thrive) without Wayne Rooney. His powers are definitely weakened by the year and his place is under real threat for probably the first time.

I would like to see Roy Hodgson pair Harry Kane with Jamie Vardy for as long as possible in both games to find out if these two can cut it against some of the best teams in the world. Germany away is much tougher then the Netherlands at home but both games will be test of whether these guys can get us far into the Euro 2016 tournament or fall at the first stage again.

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After the emotion, the England v France game has a meaning

After the terrorist atrocities in Paris last week, they said that the match and the result didn't matter. But for England it had to matter. The lesson in possession football and taking your chances that Spain handed out last week showed that England have a lot of work to do before the Euros next year.

With only four friendly dates available between now and the start of the championships every minute counts, let alone every game. Roy Hodgson has work to do,

He needs to decide on formation, first choice players, the makeup of the squad and which utility players to take 

I'd say that he has probably totally settled on only Joe Hart, Gary Cahill, Raheem Sterling, Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane as absolute nailed-on starters. Which leaves 6 first-choice places up for grabs. Let's have a look at them-

Right back

Nathaniel Clyne has pole position for right back at the moment but hasn't really done enough to totally claim his place yet. Clyne played against France but Kyle Walker started against Spain and has played a number of England games for Roy Hosgson.

Centre back

The second centre back with Cahill is really up for grabs. Johns Stones, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have all staked mild claims to the place but none have made an overwhelming case. I like Stones but it's a case of watch this space.

Left back

Like centre back, there's a few choices here. Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw both having long-term injuries has opened the door. Keiran Gibbs and Ryan Bertrand are in the current squad.

Midfield

Ross Barkley is starting to establish himself as someone that Hodgson trusts but it still not a banker for a starting place. Add to this Dier, Shelvey, Alli, Delphi, Mason, Lallana, Lingard, Henderson, Wilshere, Carrick, Milner, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain and you can see why the positions haven't been settled. Lots of potential but not enough real top quality.

The result of the game against France may be irrelevant in the context of what happened in Paris but for England the performance of individual players will have a massive impact on what they are doing next Summer.