Hodgson challenges England hopefuls to stake Euro 2016 claim against Germany
Roy Hodgson has challenged his England players to put a marker down on friendly duty to secure their place in his Euro 2016 squad.
Saturday's test against World Cup holders Germany in Berlin and a home game against Holland on Tuesday come as Hodgson begins to finalise his plans for the 23 players who will make the cut for this summer's tournament in France.
Danny Rose and Danny Drinkwater could make their debuts in Saturday's clash in Germany, while there are a number of other players looking to assure themselves of a place in the reckoning.
With the likes of captain Wayne Rooney, first-choice goalkeeper Joe Hart, Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere, Phil Jones, Ryan Bertrand, Luke Shaw and Fabian Delph all sidelined at present, there are opportunities opening up for players who may have been facing a summer holiday rather than competitive action.
Other players unsure of a place include such names as Kyle Walker, Daniel Sturridge, Eric Dier, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott - who Hodgson has confirmed has suffered a dead leg and would not train on the eve of the Germany match.
"We will have three more [games] before the final squad is selected," Hodgson said of his Euro 2016 selection.
"It is by no means a be-all and end-all situation but at the 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."
Hodgson also answered questions about players yet to be given their chance at senior international level, with West Ham skipper Mark Noble again overlooked for the current squad.
"The fact is there are are always two or three players that are in the news that many people would like to be selected or are better than the players I have selected, that is the nature of my job," he said.
"I have said on many occasions that I refuse to close doors and I refuse to rule people out. Having said that, we have a lot of players who over the last two years have worked very hard to establish themselves as England players.
"Those who are on the outside, still looking to get in, have got to convince me I'm better off leaving out a player I have been working with to make space.
"We have only got 23 places, 20 outfield players, we can't unfortunately cap every player who has had a good player for his club. Before the World Cup it was Grant Holt so there is always somebody."