- Venue: Estadio Jose Rico Perez, Alicante
- Date: Friday, 13 November
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website and BBC Radio 5 live
TEAM NEWS
England’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney will not start Friday’s friendly against Spain in Alicante as manager Roy Hodgson looks to experiment.
However, the Manchester United striker will be in the team when France visit Wembley on Tuesday.
Leicester striker and Premier League top scorer Jamie Vardy is also unlikely to start against the reigning European champions, as he recovers from a knock.
Chelsea striker
could start for the hosts.
He has made nine appearances for La Roja since choosing them over his native Brazil but has only managed to score one goal.
Injuries to Manchester City’s David Silva and Isco of Real Madrid mean Celta Vigo’s Nolito or Manchester United’s Juan Mata could get a rare chance to impress.
If neither Rooney or Vardy feature then that leaves Harry Kane as the only recognised England striker.
Hodgson said: “Wayne’s with me because he’s the captain of our team, he’s the most important figure as a result, but he actually won’t start the game.
“I’m telling you that because Wayne and I are very anxious that we’re not trying to fool anybody or bamboozle anybody when he’s sat alongside me.
“That’s for the very simple reason that we’re looking at various combinations and it will be good for me to see how various combinations are developing.
“At the front we’ve got Wayne and Jamie, we’ve got Harry and Ross Barkley, there are combinations there that interest me.”
MATCH PREVIEW
It has been 15 games and 17 months since England last tasted defeat, when they failed to qualify from their group at the
in Brazil.
The unbeaten run has included a
of 10 wins from 10 games for Euro 2016 which starts in June.
That run will be put to the test on Friday when they visit Spain, who have won the
past two European Championships.
Spain lost just once in qualifying – to Slovakia more than a year ago – but they have also been beaten by France, Germany and the Netherlands in friendly matches since also being knocked out of the 2014 World Cup in the group stages.
Coach Vicente del Bosque said: “England have a team with great potential and are individually very strong.
“Once they have a bit of organisation they will be a great side.”
England will also face Euro 2016 hosts France at Wembley on Tuesday as they continue their preparations for next summer’s tournament.
