Football - Spain v England preview

Roy Hodgson will save Rooney for England's second friendly against France.

England begin their preparations for Euro 2016 with a trip to Spain to face Vicente Del Bosque's in-form defending champions.

Spain, victorious in Vienna at Euro 2012, have won their last six matches, a run that stretches back to mid-June, and have kept clean sheets in four consecutive games against Slovakia, Macedonia, Luxembourg and Ukraine.

England beat Spain 1-0 in their last encounter thanks to Frank Lampard's second-half strike in a Wembley friendly, and Roy Hodgson's side head into Friday's game full of confidence after a perfect 10 wins from 10 in their European qualification campaign.

 

Originally scheduled for the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Friday's friendly will instead take place at the 30,000 capacity Estadio Jose Rico Perez in Alicante.

 

Jamie Vardy is Hodgson's only injury concern - the Leicester striker picked up a knock in the Foxes' victory over Watford and is doubtful.

 

Wayne Rooney will be rested, which opens the door for Harry Kane to lead the attack. Hodgson confirmed the England captain will be available against France on Tuesday. Spurs duo Dele Alli and Eric Dier are in line for first international starts after Liverpool's James Milner pulled out of the squad with a hamstring injury earlier in the week.

Diego Costa could start for the hosts, but Del Bosque will be without David Silva (ankle), Sergio Ramos (shoulder) and Isco (muscle). The Real Madrid playmaker left Spain's training camp with an undisclosed muscular injury, and his absence could allow a rare start for Manchester United's Juan Mata or Celta Vigo's Nolito.