England fixtures: FA announce friendly schedule ahead of Euro 2016

Three Lions to play Turkey, Australia and Portugal

(Getty Images)

England will play Turkey on May 22, Australia on May 27 and Portugal on June 2 in warm-up friendlies before Euro 2016, the Football Association has announced.

"I'm happy that we have been able to secure three challenging opponents that will help us prepare for the tournament," England boss Roy Hodgson said.

"Since the Euro group draw in Paris last December, The FA has worked hard to put together a programme of games around the country and we're looking forward to playing in the north-west and north-east of the country before the final home game at Wembley."

England initially hoped to announce the fixtures earlier, but had to lobby UEFA to be allowed to play more than one opponent to have qualified for Euro 2016.

That has allowed the fixtures against Portugal and Turkey, the latter of whom the Three Lions are facing for the first time since tense Euro 2004 qualifiers.

The Football Association has also confirmed that Hodgson will announce the much-anticipated England squad on May 12 at Wembley.

The Premier League campaign ends the following weekend and the squad are set to convene at St George's Park on May 18, although involvement in the FA Cup final, Champions League or Europa League finals would see those players follow a different schedule.

Hodgson has until May 31 to submit to UEFA his final 23-man squad for Euro 2016 and England begin their campaign against Russia in Marseille on June 11.

England then face Wales in a mouth-watering tie in Lens, before travelling to St Etienne to play Slovakia in their final Group B match.

Hodgson's men step up their preparations for France by this month travelling to world champions Germany and then hosting Holland in friendlies.

ENGLAND'S SUMMER SCHEDULE IN THE BUILD-UP TO EURO 2016

Thursday 12 May - Euro 2016 England squad announcement at Wembley Stadium

Sunday 15 May - End of Premier League season

Wednesday 18 May - England squad convene at St George's Park

Saturday 21 May - FA Cup Final

Sunday 22 May - England v Turkey at the Manchester City Stadium

Friday 27 May - England v Australia at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland

Thursday 31 May - UEFA deadline for all competing nations to submit a squad of 23 players for Euro 2016

Thursday 2 June - England v Portugal at Wembley Stadium

Monday 6 June - England depart for France 2016

Saturday 11 June - England v Russia, Stade Velodrome, Marseille

Thursday 16 June - England v Wales, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens Agglo

Monday 20 June - Slovakia v England, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, St Etienne.