England vs. Australia: Date, Time, TV Schedule and Live Stream for 2016 Friendly
England manager Roy Hodgson has welcomed back Manchester United and Liverpool stars into his squad for the friendly against Australia at Sunderland's Stadium of Light on Friday.
Duty in the UEFA Europa League and FA Cup finals had ruled out Liverpool and United players from the 2-1 win over Turkey last time out.
Yet, Hodgson is ready to hand a first start to one member of the returning group, United's teenage striker Marcus Rashford. The 18-year-old's involvement is one more necessary experiment from the Three Lions boss ahead of UEFA Euro 2016.
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Here are the schedule and viewing details ahead of the match:
Date: Friday, May 27
Time: 7:45 p.m. (BST)/2:45 p.m. (ET)
TV: ITV. Fox Sports 1
Live Stream: ITV Player, Fox Soccer 2GO
Preview
The spotlight will firmly be on Rashford as he attempts to justify his selection in Hodgson's preliminary squad for the tournament this summer. The England manager will hand the United academy product a start against the Socceroos, according to Nick Lustig of Sky Sports.
As Lustig noted, Rashford appeared to suffer a knee injury during United's recent 2-1 FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace at Wembley, but he's now ready to make his Three Lions debut.
Including Rashford is a decision Hodgson doesn't regret, and he insists the striker's lack of experience won't be a factor, per Lustig: "There is no doubt I think I made the right decision putting him in this large group because the lad has enormous talent and you will know from my past record that I'm not afraid to give young players a chance. I don't dismiss them on the basis of their age."
Despite Hodgson's confidence, though, Rashford needs to seize the chance to prove his credentials to thrive in France. His pace, well-timed runs and natural coolness in front of goal are qualities that can trouble any defence.
But Rashford isn't the only England player with a point to prove.
Arsenal midfield man Jack Wilshere has many doubters to win over after making just three appearances for the Gunners this season. The 24-year-old didn't help his case by looking far from impressive in the win over Turkey at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium.
The Guardian's Louise Taylor explained how the lengthy period out with injury made Wilshere appear rusty:
"In France he will surely be half a yard sharper and significantly less ring rusty than he looked in Manchester. There were certainly some sharp, slick cameos that served as welcome reminders of his quick brain and quicker feet but for long periods Wilshere’s movement proved not nearly good enough to shrug off the assiduously close attentions of Oguzhan Ozyakup.
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The Twitter reaction to Wilshere's return was far less charitable, per TalkSport.
Fitness may not be the only issue holding the Gunners star back, though. The small matter of finding his best position isn't going away.
For his part, Arsenal's No. 10 declared his preference, per a Press Association report (h/t the Guardian): “With Arsenal I’ve been playing out wide, which is not me. I’m not a wide man but Roy seems to have faith in me in the middle, so I’m happy with that. I like to play anywhere in the middle."
It's always been a riddle where best to use Wilshere's technical assurance, dribbling skills and forward-thinking intent. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hasn't solved it yet, and neither has Hodgson.
Wilshere needs game time as much to get physically sharp as to find his place in this England team.
It's a question that may have already been solved for Liverpool's attacking midfielder Adam Lallana.
The versatile 28-year-old is set to be a big part of Hodgson's plans, with the manager "believing he can be hugely effective in both a 4-3-3 system and also in a diamond," per the Daily Mirror's John Cross.
Lallana will get the chance to underline his value ahead of events in France.
As for the visitors, they have a midfield playmaker of their own set to be under the spotlight. Celtic schemer Tom Rogic has emerged as an Arsenal target, according to Dominic Bossi of the Sydney Morning Herald.
He's had his injury woes—lots of them—but Rogic has the ingenuity and class in the final third to play a vital supporting role up front.
Yet, it's the focus on England's young attacking talents that will dominate things in the north-east.
