Raheem Sterling: Let's lay down a marker against Spain

Raheem Sterling is determined to lay down a marker ahead of Euro 2016 when England go toe-to-toe with two of the best teams in the continent.

Roy Hodgson's side face current European champions Spain in Alicante on Friday night before hosting France at Wembley on Tuesday in a difficult double-header. 

Clashes with Germany and the Netherlands follow in March as the Three Lions, who completed their qualifying campaign with a perfect ten wins from ten, limber up for the competition.

And Sterling believes that, while the Three Lions' spotless record in qualifying is reason to be confident, the real test of their mettle begins on Friday.

"We know it was a good run in the qualifying and we were unbeaten but this is the real challenge now," said the 20-year-old. 

"We are going to be playing some of Europe's best teams and this is where we really get to see where we are in terms of the tournament in the summer. Hopefully we can show what we can really do. 

Raheem Sterling scored his first England goal during the recent Euro 2016 qualification campaign

"We just need to focus on what the manager has been telling us. We need to knuckle down and focus on these next few games against Spain and France, as well as Germany and Holland." 

England are without a number of injured attacking players for the clashes with Spain and France, with Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck among the absentees. 

However, Sterling is confident Hodgson has plenty of firepower at his disposal, including Jamie Vardy - who is currently on a Premier League scoring run of nine straight games - and Everton playmaker Ross Barkley. 

"Vards has been on a good goal-scoring streak and Ross has been doing really well for Everton," he added. 

"We have got a good team going forward, really exciting and players that can score goals. It is really exciting times ahead. 

"It is quite a young squad and we know that but the players here have been playing club football for quite some time now and have got quite a lot of games under their belt there. 

"They are trying to grow with the experience of the national team as well and this week will be no different.

"We are trying to work hard and fight for places, hopefully be involved in the Spain game and try to get a result."

Following their game in Alicante England return to London to take on Euro 2016 hosts France at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday 17 November. 

Tickets for the game are available to buy online from TheFA.com/tickets.