We predicted what England’s squad for Euro 2016 would look like earlier in the season and will be doing so again after the forthcoming friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands.

Roy Hodgson will already know most of his 23 picks, but a few spots remain available.

For some players selected this time, they must impress in the fixtures in Berlin and London to have any opportunity of going to France.

For others, meanwhile, the matches represent the opportunity to progress from the squad to the starting line-up…

Jack Butland

Can Jack Butland usurp Joe Hart as England’s first-choice goalkeeper between now and the start of Euro 2016? Probably not.

A couple of strong displays in the Manchester City stopper's absence, however, would give the England manager a decision to make at the start of next season - especially if Hodgson’s contract isn’t extended.

Butland’s form has been superior to Hart’s this campaign and he has all the contemporary attributes - two good feet, excellent distribution and agility - to be one of the best keepers in the game.

All the 22-year-old needs is experience. A match against the world champions is the perfect place to start.

Danny Rose

A swift and seamless return is required from Luke Shaw if he is to be England’s left-back at the Euros.

That is improbable, so Ryan Bertrand - who has enjoyed another fine season for Southampton - is likely to start in his unfortunate absence.

And with - at the very least - an understudy spot to be claimed, and the uncapped Danny Rose has just as much chance being there as Kieron Gibbs and Leighton Baines.

Gibbs and Baines have more experience but, unlike them, Rose is flourishing for his club.

The impressive form and palpable team spirit of Tottenham is another plus for the 25-year-old and Hodgson must be tempted to flood the squad with as many of their players as possible to harness that.

Danny Drinkwater

That Jack Wilshere - a player who wears No. 10 for his club and has not kicked a ball this season because of injury - is still considered England’s first-choice holding midfielder must be encouraging for Danny Drinkwater.

But if the uncapped 26-year-old is going to occupy that role in the summer, he has to make an immediate acclimatisation to international football.

Doing so for the Premier League leaders is a fine starting point - although he won’t have the robust N’Golo Kante alongside him - while his time at Manchester United should ensure he is not outclassed in possession.

Eric Dier

Dele Alli’s performances for Spurs this season - plus England’s friendly win against France in November - have made his Euro 2016 selection guaranteed - and Eric Dier is not far from achieving the same.

Dier does not perform with the same panache as his club and international team-mate, which is why he is perhaps the best option to anchor the midfield.

The 22-year-old’s discipline and defensive intelligence dovetails ideally with the attacking instincts of Alli, Wilshere and Ross Barkley.

A couple more authoritative displays over the next week will only strengthen his position.

Jordan Henderson

It was previously unthinkable that Jordan Henderson wouldn’t go to the Euros, but his indifferent form and the rise of Alli and Dier - plus Hodgson’s fondness for Wilshere and Barkley - has made his position vulnerable.

Rightly so. Because while he has played well for Liverpool - even if it is now two seasons since Luis Suarez elevated everyone at Anfield to levels they have not reached since - Henderson is yet to do so for England.

Of the aforementioned players, Alli, Wilshere and Barkley offer more of an attacking threat, while Dier and Drinkwater are better defensively.

It is not clear where the Liverpool captain fits for his club - and the same is true of his country.

Theo Walcott

This was supposed to a breakthrough season for Theo Walcott, which in itself is a strange thing to say about a player who has just turned 27.

A distinct improvement probably shouldn’t have been expected, then, but he has actually regressed.

Walcott has been involved only intermittently for Arsenal since being hauled off against Manchester United last month and has never been a favourite of Hodgson.

That he was listed as a forward in this squad is significant, too, as it effectively means he is rivalling Jamie Vardy, Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge for a place.

Having missed the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, the prodigy who never really fulfilled his potential must find something if he is to have any chance of avoiding another international tournament disappointment.

Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy is a certain pick for Hodgson’s squad - an impressive feat as his first cap against the Republic of Ireland less than a year ago was met with derision and patronising congratulations for making it this far.

But Vardy needs an imposing performance in an England shirt - which he is yet to do so far - if he is to avoid ending up like Kevin Phillips at Euro 2000.

Kane, Welbeck and Sturridge have overtaken the 29-year-old as England’s in-form attackers, while captain Rooney will inevitably feature due to his status as the country’s greatest scorer.

It is clear, then, that the Leicester City striker - who has not scored from open play since the start of last month - has more to do if his season is to end with the same gusto with which it started.

Germany v England betting

England v the Netherlands betting

READ: Seat on the train? The England squad Roy Hodgson would like to take to Euro 2016