Eyes on strikers Gomez and Vardy

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gets a rest and Dutchman Robin van Persie hasn't been picked but there will still be plenty of attention on the strikers when this series of international friendlies gets under way, with Germany's Mario Gomez recalled and Jamie Vardy hoping for a first England goal.

World champions Germany go to Euro 2016 hosts France on Friday before taking on surprisingly not qualified Netherlands on Tuesday as the top teams gear up for the continental tournament with big-name games.

England play at two-time defending champions Spain before hosting France.

Germany coach Joachim Loew is also resting some men, such as Ronaldo's Real Madrid teammate Toni Kroos and Arsenal's Mesut Ozil.

Instead, he has called up Gomez again as the 60-times capped striker has rediscovered his form since a summer move to Besiktas and could help make the world champions more efficient again in front of goal after some wasteful showings during the Euro campaign.

Dutch coach Danny Blind left out Fenerbahce's van Persie because "he has been looking for his form and his rhythm" but has not fully closed the door on him as he rebuilds the team for 2018 World Cup qualifying after the shocking Euro exit.

Blind said the team must treat the friendlies "as qualifying matches which we need to build a team that can have a successful (2018) qualifying."

Leicester City's Vardy meanwhile is the toast of the Premier League with a leading 12 goals and the 28-year-old now wants to score his first England goal in his fourth international match.

"I would be lying if I didn't say I was surprised, pleasantly surprised," England manager Roy Hodgson said. "That is all credit to him. He has proved himself."

The double-header with Spain and France marks their first action since completing a perfect 10-game run through Euro qualifying.