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England v Netherlands preview: Daniel Sturridge in-line for starting spot

England manager Roy Hodgson speaks to Daniel Sturridge during a training session
Image: England manager Roy Hodgson speaks to Daniel Sturridge during a training session

Daniel Sturridge is set to make his return to the England side for their friendly with the Netherlands on Tuesday at Wembley.

The Liverpool striker's road to recovery has been a difficult one after a catalogue of setbacks, and looks set for his first appearance in an England shirt since September 2014.

England coach Roy Hodgson also revealed he is planning a raft of changes for the Three Lions' second friendly of this international break, and has handed James Milner the captain's armband for the encounter.

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James Milner will captain England against the Netherlands and says the team need to build on their win in Berlin

Hodgson was coy over whether he would include Danny Drinkwater as he looks to build on Saturday's sensational comeback victory over Germany, with several individual performances giving Hodgson somewhat of a selection headache.

The Netherlands have a great recent record against England, and will be looking to improve on the disastrous form that saw them miss out qualification for this summer's European Championship.

That quest has not got off to the greatest of starts, after they suffered defeat at home in their weekend friendly against France.

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England manager Roy Hodgson discusses the injury to Jack Butland, changes to the team on Tuesday evening and Wayne Rooney's place in the squad

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England's 21-man squad were all present and correct at Tottenham's training ground on Monday.

Danny Welbeck did some individual work after the group warm-up, but there were no fresh concerns following the news that Jack Butland is facing months on the sidelines.

Danny Drinkwater and Jamie Vardy of England talk to the press
Image: Danny Drinkwater (right) could be handed starting spot

The Stoke goalkeeper fractured an ankle during the victory in Berlin and has not been replaced by Hodgson, meaning Fraser Forster or Tom Heaton will play against the World Cup semi-finalists.

For the Netherlands, Wesley Sneijder has been ruled out after picking up a calf injury against France, while Michel Vorm and Marco van Ginkel have replaced Jasper Cillessen (broken nose) and Davy Klaassen (knee) in the squad.

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England haven't won any of their last six meetings with the Netherlands (D4 L2).

Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands stands in the 14th minute for a minute's silence
Image: Wesley Sneijder will miss out against England

England have only lost two games at the new Wembley since Hodgson took charge (W16 D2) - those defeats came against Germany and Chile.

The Netherlands have won three of their last four games on the road, having lost three consecutive away games prior to that run.

England have won nine consecutive games at home - their longest run since a run of 11 between 2008 and 2010.

The Oranje were the last team to score more than two goals in a game against England at Wembley (3-2, February 2012). Only one other team (Croatia) has done so since its 2007 opening.

Only Robert Lewandowski (four) scored more headed goals in the Euro 2016 qualifying stages than Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (three), despite the Netherlands' failure to progress.

The Netherlands won 3-2 in their last away international, beating Wales thanks to goals from Bas Dost, and a brace from Arjen Robben.

Robben is one of three non-English players to score for both club and country at the new Wembley (alongside Per Mertesacker and Alexis Sanchez).

Arjen Robben wants to continue to play for Netherlands
Image: Arjen Robben

Betting

England are odds-on at 3/4 with Sky Bet to maintain their momentum with another victory, as the Netherlands are rated 4/1 chances while the draw is priced at 11/4. Such was the impressive nature of their 3-2 victory in Germany, Roy Hodgson's men have been cut from 11/1 to 9/1 to win Euro 2016, with their hosts losing favouritism in the outright betting as a result. 

Harry Kane is rated England's main threat at 7/2 to score first followed by Daniel Sturridge (4/1), while Klaas-Jan Huntelaar heads the betting from the visitors' side at 15/2. James Milner is a 10/1 chance to break the deadlock and is enhanced from 5/1 to 15/2 to score in a win in his first game as England captain in Sky Bet's range of Price Boosts.

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