With most international teams taking part in two friendlies over the coming week as preparations for Euro 2016 intensify, there are plenty of questions to be answered. Some teams will be planning for the tournament in France, which is less than 100 days away, while others, such as Scotland, are looking further ahead.We take a look at some of the key questions for the week ahead... Crunch time for Walcott?Given his recent form for Arsenal, it was not a certainty that Theo Walcott would be called up for Englands friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands. The 27-year-old has made just three starts in the last 13 games for the Gunners and appears to have fallen behind academy graduate Alex Iwobi in the pecking order.With Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck showing encouraging signs recently and Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Wayne Rooney looking lock-ins as long as they are fit, its Walcotts place that could be most under threat. Ray Wilkins thinks Theo Walcott needs to leave Arsenal if he is to fulfil his potential There are question marks, said Matt Le Tissier on Sky Sports News HQ. Roy has put him in the squad and he will need to use that well if he is going to cement his place in the squad over the summer. The one thing we have learnt about Roy Hodgson is that he is very loyal to his players, if players have done well he will stick by them for as long as he can. That seems to be the case with Theo, even though he hasnt been in the greatest of form.Hodgsons loyalty could be put to the test if Walcotts form does not improve.How will Wales cope without Bale?With seven goals in qualifying, Gareth Bale played a huge role in getting Wales to Euro 2016. He is also likely to be their main man in France as they look to emerge from a group containing England, Russia and Slovakia.However, Wales will be without him for their friendlies with Northern Ireland and Ukraine following talks between the national team management and Real Madrid. Gareth Bale will not be involved for Wales Aaron Ramsey will also be missing due to injury as will James Collins and Andy King, giving Chris Coleman a chance to rotate his squad and test out a few fringe players.You dont replace Aaron and Gareth, but thats not to say that we havent got strength in depth, said Coleman. This gives us a chance to look at one or two other guys and I see that as a positive, not a negative.Can Scotland find future talent?As the only home nation not to qualify for Euro 2016, Scotland are using the upcoming friendlies against Czech Republic and Denmark to look further ahead, with Gordon Strachan naming two squads of 19 players.Among them are eight uncapped players, including Birmingham defender Paul Caddis, Nottingham Forest midfielder Oliver Burke, Brightons Jamie Murphy and Leeds defender Liam Cooper. Birmingham Citys Paul Caddis could make his Scotland debut The squad selection has been met with a mixed reaction. Mark Warburton said he was surprised that none of his Rangers players were included while Celtic boss Ronny Deila is pleased with the longer-term thinking.If nobody gets a chance and cant make mistakes, how can you get them up? Theres no chance, he said. To think more long term is important.Judging by his squad selection, Strachan has one eye on the World Cup qualifier with Malta on September and beyond.Can anyone catch Martin ONeills eye?Like a few other nations, Republic of Ireland look as though they could hand out some first-time caps for their friendlies with Switzerland and Slovakia.But, unlike some of the other nations heading to Euro 2016, Ireland have just one more friendly scheduled after this double header: a meeting with the Netherlands in late May.While they could still add another, these two matches provide a prime opportunity for fringe players to stake their claim. Martin ONeill wants to see some fringe players stake their claim There are one or two players there who have shown their worth in the qualification games and barring injury, theres a really great chance of them going, obviously, said manager Martin ONeill.But there are other places up for grabs. I want to see a couple of the lads, the Euros are just around the corner.Among those potentially looking to make an impact are Wolves defender Matt Doherty, Bournemouth midfielder Eunan OKane, Birminghams Stephen Gleeson and Brentford midfielder Alan Judge.Who will lead Spains line?They have one of the best goalkeepers in the world, one of the best defences in qualifying and a midfield stacked full of talent, but Spain have a slight problem when it comes to strikers.With Diego Costa not included in the squad for the friendlies against Italy and Romania due to fitness issues, the five forwards chosen by Vicente del Bosque are: Pedro, Alvaro Morata, Aritz Aduriz, Paco Alcacer and Nolito.Of those five, only the 35-year-old Aduriz has any kind of form in recent months. Aritz Aduriz (left) has been in fantastic form this season Morata has dropped to the bench at Juventus, Alcacer has struggled for goals lately at Valencia, Nolitos form has dipped since his dazzling start to the season for Celta Vigo and Pedro has struggled to impress at Chelsea.Aduriz, meanwhile, has 31 goals in all competitions this season and is fully deserving of his return to the squad, six years after his only other cap. Considering his age, he is probably not the long-term solution for Spain, but will he get his chance at France?In a recent poll by Spanish newspaper Marca, which had nearly 20,000 votes, 62 per cent said Aduriz should start for Spain at Euro 2016 while 14 per cent went for Morata and eight per cent for Alcacer. Only seven per cent voted for Costa.Will Lafferty look rusty?If Walcotts England place is in doubt due to his club form, what does that mean for Kyle Lafferty?Northern Irelands leading scorer in qualifying with seven goals, he has played just 45 minutes in three substitute appearances for Norwich this season. No surprise, then, that he is keen to get a move ahead of Euro 2016, with a loan deal to Sheffield Wednesday reportedly on the cards. Kyle Lafferty has hardly played for Norwich this season Given his track record, Lafferty is likely to start in France whatever his form at club level. However, Michael ONeill has added another striker to his squad for the games against Wales and Slovenia in the shape of Conor Washington.The QPR forward has never set foot in Northern Ireland but qualifies through the grandparent rule and could now make his debut in Cardiff, the city he used to call home when playing for Newport.Security situationAfter the terrorist attacks in Brussels on Tuesday, security is likely to be heightened at most international fixtures over the coming week.Belgiums game against Portugal next Tuesday was cancelled and then moved to Leiria while Frances friendly against the Netherlands on Friday is scheduled to go ahead as planned. Portugal to host Belgium friendly Portugal will host their friendly with Belgium after the match was cancelled We have a game to play and life continues, said France defender Laurent Koscielny. Its difficult when barbarous acts occur in France or Belgium but we must keep trying to give pleasure, smiles, to spectators and television viewers.UEFA have said they are not planning to play any matches at Euro 2016 behind closed doors and, asked whether it was wise to host the event, given the level of threat of another terrorist attack, French prime minister Manuel Valls said not to do so would be a victory for terrorists. Also See: Key dates for England Belgium friendly moved Anya: Chance for newcomers Walters to miss friendly .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. .Y. - New York City has been selected to host the NBA All-Star weekend in 2015, with the game played at Madison Square Garden and the slam dunk contest and other skills events held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. . Defenceman Yannick Weber scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Canucks breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-1 win on Saturday night. CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls suspended Rajon Rondo for Mondays game against the Portland Trail Blazers for conduct detrimental to the team, adding another disciplinary measure to the point guards lengthy resume.The 30-year-old Rondo has been suspended several times during his 11 NBA seasons for running afoul of the league or his team. He received a one-game penalty last December for directing a gay slur at referee Bill Kennedy and also was suspended for a game during his short stint in Dallas after he had a heated exchange on the court with coach Rick Carlisle in February 2015.There was no public indication from the Bulls on what triggered Rondos suspension. Jerian Grant replaced Rondo in the starting lineup and had five points on 1-for-7 shooting in Chicagos 112-110 loss to Portland.Hes obviously very important with what we do in this building, coach Fred Hoiberg said of Rondo. Hes a guy that really gets us out and establishes the tempo for our team, especially in the fourth quarter. Hes important for what we do, but thats not the reason we lost the game.Rondo signed a $30 million, two-year deal with Chicago after averaging 11.9 points and an NBA-best 11.7 assists in 72 games with Sacramento last season. The four-time All-Star won the NBA title with Boston in 2008.He is expected to return Tuesday night in Detroit.Hell be ready to go, teammate Dwyane Wade said. Hell have fresh legs tomorrow. Whatever happened, the organization took care of it. Us as players, we support each other.dddddddddddd Its an emotional game and guys have emotional moments. They handled it the way they thought was best, and we move on.Rondo is averaging 8.2 points, 7.2 assists and 6.7 rebounds in 17 games with the Bulls. He had one of his worst games of the year Saturday night in Dallas, finishing with two points, two assists and five turnovers in 24 minutes in an ugly 107-82 loss.Im very confident in my relationship (with him), Hoiberg said. I had a great visit with Rajon yesterday, talked to him again this afternoon, and well look forward to seeing him on the plane tonight.Also Monday, forward Doug McDermott practiced with the Windy City Bulls after he was assigned to the D-League for conditioning. McDermott hasnt played since Nov. 11 due to a concussion.Hes going to go again tomorrow, Hoiberg said. Im sure hell have some soreness involved just in his body, again being the first time that hes had this type of workout. Hopefully he has another good day tomorrow and well see what happens with Thursday.Guard Michael Carter-Williams, who has been sidelined since Oct. 31 with a left wrist and left knee injury, also could head to the D-League soon. Hoiberg said he thinks Carter-Williams is going to be re-evaluated on Tuesday.---Jay Cohen can be reached at
http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap ' ' '
