England vs. Turkey: Date, Time, TV Schedule and Livestream for 2016 Friendly

James DudkoMay 21, 2016

Roy Hodgson will use a friendly against Turkey at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium on Sunday to hand valuable playing time to those England players who need it ahead of UEFA Euro 2016.

The game is the first of three warm-up matches for the Three Lions in preparation for the big European tournament this summer.

Read on for the schedule and viewing details ahead of the match:

Preview

Hodgson wanted to "squeeze in three friendlies before the Euros," according to the Daily Telegraph. With the FA Cup final played just 24 hours prior to kick off, the England boss won't get to choose Manchester United stars such as forward Wayne Rooney and centre-back Chris Smalling.

Yet the reduced options may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. No Smalling could mean shifting Tottenham Hotspur holding midfielder Eric Dier into central defence, per the Telegraph.

Dier's ability to transition back into the back line is something Hodgson should want to see. After all, he only picked three natural centre-backs in his provisional squad for the tournament in France, according to the team's official Twitter account:

As soon as that squad was announced, it became clear Hodgson will need creative solutions if injuries strike at the Euros. Putting Dier back into a position he's played before is the most obvious one.

While Dier may spend some time at the Etihad in defence, Dominic Fifield of the Guardian envisaged something different.

He sees a midfield diamond with Dier at its base. Further forward, Fifield predicted Arsenal's Jack Wilshere and Tottenham's Dele Alli will be given starts as they bid to build fitness.

Wilshere is the more interesting case since he's played so little this season. The 24-year-old appeared in just three Premier League games for the Gunners.

But as the Guardian's Owen Gibson noted, Arsenal's No. 10 often encourages Hodgson to take a risk: "What Wilshere offers Hodgson is a glimpse of the other, a singular talent that could help make his exciting but callow squad more than the sum of their parts."

Wilshere's ability to carry the ball past players, his wand of a left foot and eye for a pass are the technical attributes that could make England a more creative, free-flowing side. But first he has to prove he is fit for the tournament.

That process begins against Turkey before games against Australia and Portugal wrap up the Three Lions' preparations for the Euros. Hodgson has given himself ample opportunity to tweak the formula and find the right combination of players and formation to succeed in France.