England's final fixture on home soil ahead of this summer's
World Cup sees them take on Peru at Wembley Stadium.Friday's clash in the capital will also represent the final opportunity for Roy Hodgson to cast an eye over his squad before settling on a 23-man party for Brazil.
He has already called upon those he feels are best equipped to lead a charge for global glory, so only injuries will alter his plans at this late stage.
England will be hoping to avoid any untimely setbacks, having seen their preparations for Hodgson's first major tournament at the helm - Euro 2012 - ravaged by fitness issues.
The Three Lions will also be looking to give a loyal fan base something to shout about and offer cause for optimism as they endeavour to end 48 years of international hurt.
Leaning heavily on those who enjoyed standout domestic campaigns in 2013/14 would appear to be the way forward, with Liverpool's Premier League exploits - which carried them agonisingly close to the Premier League title - rewarded with five selections (Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge).
Champions Manchester City fill two places in the squad (Joe Hart and James Milner), as do Chelsea (Gary Cahill and Frank Lampard) and FA Cup winners Arsenal (Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain), while eye-catching showings from Southampton and Everton have resulted in Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and Ross Barkley getting the nod.
There is no getting away from the fact that Hodgson has selected a youthful and inexperienced squad, but there is enough energy, pace and creative potential within the ranks to suggest that England have picked the ideal time in which to bring through a new generation of talent.
Piecing everything together in time for an opening showdown with Italy on June 14 is now the name of the game, with a settled XI required before heading into the stifling Amazon heat of Manaus.
A meeting with Peru will see the first step taken down that path, before Hodgson's men head for North America and further friendly dates with Ecuador and Honduras.
With England due to face Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D this summer, getting accustomed to the methods of Southern and Central American foes is imperative - and there will be no excuses after working hard to put the best possible preparation fixtures in place.
The time for talking is almost over and England know they now have to start doing the business on the field and start building the momentum which could carry them to a first world crown since 1966.
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