Danny Drinkwater and Danny Rose named in Roy Hodgson squad for England friendlies

England will play Germany and the Netherlands

Leicester City's Daniel Drinkwater scores his side's first goal

England manager Roy Hodgson has named his England squad for the friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands at the end of the month.

The biggest surprise is the inclusion of Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater and Tottenham Hotspur left-back Danny Rose, neither of whom have been capped by the Three Lions previously.

Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney is rested for the matches, as expected, while the likes of Leighton Baines, Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend have been left out because of poor form at club level.

"Danny Drinkwater is having a fantastic season in a team that is having a fantastic season," Hodgson said on the Foxes midfielder.

The two matches, on 26 March and 29 March, will act as a final audition to impress Hodgson ahead of the European Championships in France in the summer.

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck and Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, both get another look from Hodgson after long spells on the sidelines this season. The pair have been England regulars in the past but Welbeck last played for England a year ago and Sturridge in September 2014 - they have just five Premier League goals between them this season.

Hodgson will name his full squad on 12 May, with England set for another three friendlies - against Turkey, Australia and Portugal - before opening their Euro 2016 campaign against Russia on 11 June.

However, the England boss was criticised for picking for some of the same faces despite others impressing in the Premier League this season.

Welbeck, Sturridge and Jordan Henderson have spent significant time out this season while the likes of Troy Deeney, Mark Noble and Aaron Cresswell have impressed, with some fans claiming Hodgson has shown bias to players of 'big' clubs.

"There are players outside this squad who could easily have been included. We are looking at a large group. The door is open," he added.

Danny Rose has impressed for Spurs this season

On Welbeck and the number of striker he has available, Hodgson was delighted.

"[Welbeck] looks good. He looks sharp. I know Arsene [Wenger] has been happy with him.

"It's always nice to announce a squad when you've got some riches in front of you. But we need to produce on the pitch."

"You need a very strong squad and a versatility for a tournament. We've got six very good and different strikers including Wayne Rooney."

ENGLAND SQUAD: Jack Butland, Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, Ryan Bertrand, Gary Cahill, Nathaniel Clyne, Phil Jagielka, Danny Rose, Chris Smalling, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Dele Alli, Ross Barkley, Eric Dier, Danny Drinkwater, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, James Milner, Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge, Jamie Vardy, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck.

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