How are England preparing for the tournament?
England's preparations for the Euros have been mangled by the wrecking ball of Fabio Capello resigning four months beforehand and his successor being appointed just 40 days before the team's campaign opens against France. Yet the FA is convinced everything will be alright on the night. Manager Roy Hodgson will wave goodbye to West Brom on May 13, providing his full attention on England a day later before taking the squad to a training camp in Spain ahead of friendlies against Norway in Oslo on May 26 and Belgium at Wembley on June 2. England flies to its Krakow base on June 6 before facing France on June 11. It is not yet known when Hodgson will name his squad but, because of the disruption, it is likely to be closer to the UEFA deadline of May 29.

What is England's realistic target for the tournament?
For the nation that gave football to the world, ridiculous expectation goes with the territory. However, there is a growing sense of realism - albeit at the distance of four weeks away from tournament time - given the last-ditch appointment of Hodgson, the injury to Jack Wilshere and Wayne Rooney's suspension for the first two matches. Hodgson, the anti-Keegan and a master of making the most mundane task appear a mountainous one, says he would be "bitterly disappointed if we didn't get out of the group", claiming "England were not dealt a pleasant card" by being pitted against France, Ukraine and Sweden. Should Hodgson's side fail to progress to the knockout stage, it would be regarded as a considerable failure.

What is England's toughest game in the group?
On paper, an improving France on June 11 is the toughest match but the final group game against host nation Ukraine on June 19 will be a nervy one if England requires the minimum of a draw to qualify.

Are there any injury or fitness concerns?
Jack Wilshere, who many rate second only to Wayne Rooney in terms of importance to the team, has been ruled out of the tournament after missing the entire season with ankle injuries. Darren Bent, who might have been expected to lead the front line in Rooney's absence against France and Sweden, has been out since early February and is not expected to play again for Aston Villa this season but he is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation. Theo Walcott damaged his hamstring that will keep him out for the rest of the season but he is expected to recover in time for the late May friendlies. There is also a question mark over the fitness of Danny Welbeck, who limped away from the Manchester derby and did not feature against Swansea City at the weekend. First-choice midfield anchorman Scott Parker has also suffered hamstring pain in recent weeks.

Are there any surprise picks who could go to the Euros?
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the Arsenal prodigy, has been mentioned in some quarters as a wild card and a centre forward like Bobby Zamora, who played under Hodgson at Fulham, could yet pop up on the radar. But the squad is expected to be made up mostly of the players who helped England stroll through a relatively easy qualifying group. Andy Carroll's late resurgence in a struggling Liverpool side may have done just enough to earn his place in the squad.

What is the biggest issue for the manager to resolve?
Where do you start? Hodgson can pencil in very few players as definite starters against France, fitness permitting. Perhaps only Joe Hart, Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard, Parker and, at a push, Gareth Barry, Walcott and Ashley Young. He must address the John Terry-Rio Ferdinand spat and settle on a centre back pairing. The wide midfield positions are up for grabs but, perhaps most significantly, Hodgson must find an answer to England's dilemma on how to score goals in the absence of Rooney for the opening two matches. There is no obvious A-list centrer forward replacement, perhaps not even a B-list alternative.