Cahill is ready for England to test themselves against Spain and France ahead of Euro 2016



Gary Cahill is ready for England to test themselves against France and Spain in big friendlies



GARY CAHILL is ready for England to test themselves against Spain and France in their big friendlies next month.

 

England face a daunting double-header as they travel to Spain before welcoming Euro 2016 hosts France to Wembley.

And Cahill, who captained the side in Wayne Rooney’s absence against Estonia on Friday, wants to use those fixtures as a measuring stick for the finals.

He said: “I think it will give a good marker for us. We need to improve to have a chance in the summer.

 

Cahill was England captain in the absence of Wayne Rooney

“They will be a good test. If we win them, great. If we don’t, we have to take things from them.

“They will be tough but they are ones we are looking forward to and we’re thinking that by next summer he might have kicked on even further like Ross Barkley has in the last year.

“He only got his place in the squad because a lot of others dropped out.

 

“He understands he has a big England future, but sometimes it will be with us and sometimes it will be with the Under-21s.”

Hodgson will also take the opportunity to have a look at reserve goalkeeper Jack Butland.

He added: “We always believed in him and he certainly has deserved his chance.

“Let’s hope he keeps a clean sheet like Joe Hart has been doing.”