s wears a bandage on his chin after recently fouling off a bunt

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 EnglandBelgium friendly movedAnya: Chance for newcomersWalters to miss friendlyJustin Abdelkader Red Wings Jersey . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. Custom Detroit Red Wings Jerseys . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. http://www.redwingshockeyauthentic.com/jonathan-bernier-jersey/ .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Curtis Joseph Jersey . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days. Terry Sawchuk Red Wings Jersey . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors.DENVER -- Carlos Gonzalez cant ever remember hitting a ball any better or louder.Just a sweet sound coming off the bat, he said.The smooth-swinging slugger hit a three-run homer to break a scoreless tie in the sixth inning, Chad Bettis threw efficiently into the seventh and the Colorado Rockies beat the Atlanta Braves 7-3 on Thursday night.Gonzalez drilled a 97 mph fastball from Mike Foltynewicz (3-4) over the fence in right-center. It was Gonzalezs 20th homer of the season and first since participating in the All-Star Home Run Derby.I knew I was going to get one pitch the whole night. That was it, Gonzalez said. Im glad I didnt miss it. I didnt waste that great outing that Bettis was throwing.Bettis (8-6) was in command all night thanks to his curveball. The right-hander allowed one run over 6 2/3 innings. He was cruising through Atlantas lineup until hitting a bump in the seventh when he gave up an RBI double to A.J. Pierzynski.I really liked the way he used his curveball, Rockies manager Walt Weiss explained. Got a lot of strikes and outs with it.Trailing 7-1 in the ninth, the Braves scored twice before the Rockies brought in closer Carlos Estevez with two outs. He got Jace Peterson to roll out to end the game and earn his seventh save.The Rockies have won seven straight over Atlanta at Coors Field.Foltynewicz was both electric and erratic in 5 2/3 innings. He didnt allow a hit until DJ LeMahieus leadoff single in the fourth and struck out five. He walked five.His most costly mistake was the fastball to Gonzalez, who has six seasons with at least 20 homers.You cant fall behind one of the best fastball hitters in the game, Foltynewicz conceded. He was waiting on the inside fastball and he turned on it.Pinch-hitter Mark Reynolds added some insurance with a solo homer in the seventh that went an estimated 484 feet. It was his first pinch-hit homer in two years.He got it good, Weiss said. Pinch-hit homers are nice.There was a crazy play in the eighth with runners on second and third. On a single by Nick Hundley, Trevor Story scored easily but Daniel Descalso nearly collided with shortstop Errick Aybar as Descalso took off from second.dddddddddddd Descalso was thrown out at the plate, but Aybar was called for obstruction. Hundley was credited with one RBI and Aybar was given an error.Pierzynski was ejected on the play for what he said was kicking the ball toward the Rockies dugout.We needed a new ball. Ive done that 100 times over my career, Pierzynski explained. I wasnt looking at him. I didnt say anything to him.I apologized. Maybe I should have bent over and picked it up and rolled it over there?Anthony Recker replaced him and had an RBI double in the ninth, part of a two-run inning off Rockies reliever Jason Motte.TRAINERS ROOMBraves: OF Mallex Smith (broken left thumb) is swinging one-handed and doing some throwing. ... RHP Daniel Winkler (broken right elbow) isnt close to heading out for a rehab assignment, interim manager Brian Snitker said. Winkler is still going through long toss.Rockies: Backup C Tony Wolters wears a bandage on his chin after recently fouling off a bunt attempt in batting practice that struck him in the face. You cant teach stuff like that, Weiss joked. It didnt bother him as Wolters delivered a pinch-hit, RBI double in the eighth. ... Weiss said OF Gerardo Parra (sprained left ankle) is getting closer to a rehab assignment.CONTACTOF Nick Markakis went 32 straight plate appearances without swinging at a pitch and missing. That ended in the ninth when he swung at strike three. He finished 1 for 3.He has such a great eye at the plate, Snitker said. Hes one of the most disciplined hitters that Ive seen.REST DAY3B Nolan Arenado got a rare day off Thursday after struggling at the plate this month. He hasnt homered since July 5 at San Francisco.I run him out there pretty regularly. Hes very durable, Weiss said.UP NEXTThis certainly looks familiar: Jon Gray (5-4) and Julio Teheran (3-8) will face each other Friday night -- the second time in a week. The starters didnt figure into the decision during a 1-0 Atlanta win last Sunday. ' ' '