England v Germany: Five things to look out for from Three Lions - Rose, Kane, Alli, Butland, Cahill

Danny Rose is one of four Spurs players rewarded by the England manager Hodgson for their terrific contribution to Tottenham's bid for a first title since 1961. Rose makes his national debut at the Olympiastadion at left-back having earned 29 caps for the country's U21 side. A calf injury to Ryan Bertrand of Southampton provides Rose with his chance. Rose did turn out for team Great Britain at the London Olympics four years ago, but this is surely the ultimate honour and endorsement of his lively wares. His attacking instincts will provide England with an obvious threat overlapping, but he may have to provide evidence of his ability backtracking to retain the berth ahead of the finals in France.

There is no better understanding in Europe between two players than the one which exists between Dele Alli and Harry Kane. That is not merely indulging in hyperbole, but a fact of life. Alli played provider three times for Kane in Tottenham's wins against Aston Villa and Bournemouth to overtake Mezut Ozil and Olivier Giroud as the Premier League and Europe's most probing combination. Alli has provided Kane with seven goals this season. That is two more than Barcelona's Neymar and Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain and Marek Hamsik of Napoli and the Paris Saint-Germain pairing of Edinson Cavani and Zltan Ibrahimovic. Such world class returns merit a world class platform. And tonight they get it at Berlin's Olympic Stadium. If they continue to flourish for England, they can write their names on the starting list for the national's side Euro 2016 opener against Russia on June 11.

The long punt up the park, the untimely flick on by Steven Gerrard and the blistering finish by a pre-bite Luis Suarez. Gary Cahill was party to the goal that sent England spinning out of the World Cup in a 2-1 defeat to Uruguay two years ago, and this is arguably his toughest test wearing the Three Lions since that fateful night in Sao Paulo when he and Phil Jagielka were undone by Suarez's speed of thought. Cahill goes into the match admitting that he feared for his England future after being dropped earlier in the season by the departed Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho, an unusual fate to befall a figure who picked up a Premier League winners medal only 11 months ago. "It’s been a tough season, I’ll not lie. A tough season as everyone can see, with the changes and everything else," said Cahill. Cahill is given the nod to partner Chris Smalling at the heart of the visiting defence, but neither man can be certain of staying there if they fail to perform. Cahill is Hodgson's vice-captain, but John Stones is applying serious heat for a start. As the oldest player in the team with 40 caps, It is imperative Cahill, 30, displays his mettle against the world champions.

Hodgson's oft-repeated mantra is simple: Show me what you can do. While Rose and Danny Drinkwater make their debuts, this feels like a second coming for the Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck, who starts after 10 months out with a knee injury. Welbeck will play off Kane as a support act for the Tottenham forward alongside Adam Lallana, who is the second oldest man in the England starting line-up at the ripe old age of 25. Welbeck has 14 goals in 33 matches for England, a handsome record in comparison to seven in 30 matches for his club. Welbeck may end his career being a livelier player on the international scene, a scenario Hodgson wouldn't discourage. He will probably be asked to come in off the left, and it will be interesting to see how he dovetails with Kane.

Opportunity knocks for Stoke keeper Jack Butland, 23, who will win only his fourth cap against Joachim Low's side. Butland has been in outstanding form in the Premier League with Stoke - a part of the world which has also been home to Peter Shilton and Gordon Banks. Butland can emulate those figures and has a real chance to dislodge Hart, who is recovering from a calf strain suffered in last week's Manchester derby. He has enjoyed 10 clean sheets in 31 appearances and has made 81 saves. With Fraser Forster performing superbly well for Southampton, the goalkeeping position is one that appears to be available to the right man. Butland gets first go at it tonight.