When does Roy Hodgson name his England squad?
Hodgson delayed naming his squad for the Euro 2016 qualifiers away in San Marino (next Saturday) and at Wembley against Switzerland (the following Tuesday) until in order to wait for injury and fitness updates after this weekend’s Premier League games.
Who’s in doubt?
Jordan Henderson, Gary Cahill, Fabian Delph, Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge have all been struggling with injuries. Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere are certain to miss out.
How close are England to qualifying?
Very. If they beat San Marino next weekend and Slovenia fail to win in Switzerland then the Three Lions can book their tickets on the Eurostar. Even a draw in the Stadio Olimpico could be enough if Slovenia lose, although qualification on the back of a point against the minnows would perhaps go down as the most underwhelming ever.
And for once they’re not the only home nation heading to France next summer?
Indeed. Wales top Group B and could secure a spot in the finals –for the first time since the 1958 World Cup –with wins away in Cyprus and against Israel in Cardiff. In Group F Northern Ireland should win in the Faroes to set up a crunch tie with Hungary in Belfast on Monday week. The hopes of Scotland and the Republic of Ireland are on a knife-edge in Group D, but the top two –Germany and Poland – face off in Frankfurt on Friday so the qualification door may be ajar for the Republic, who face winnable ties away in Gibraltar and then at home against Georgia. Scotland, meanwhile, face a tricky trip to Tbilisi and then welcome the world champions to Hampden Park.
Has anyone else qualified?
Not yet and the teams closest are not the usual suspects. Iceland are in pole position in Group A, Slovakia are all-but there in Group C and Austria could confirm their place in the finals with a win over Moldova in Group G.
Any big guns in trouble?
The expanded 24-team finals have precluded against much qualifying drama. Of the traditional powerhouses Holland are most at risk of dropping into the play-offs, while Italy have not had things all their own way in Group H, though they should both be fine.