Five things we will learn from the Denmark-England friendly (and one thing we already know)

Tomorrow night's England friendly with Denmark probably poses more questions than what answers will be provided, the most important question being; why? Why are we playing a friendly game a) so early in the season b) so far away from our next competitive fixture and c) in the week when FA cup 4^th round replays are meant to be played, thus scuppering the layout of the system for the rest of the season causing monumental problems at all levels of the English football league pyramid.

Anywho, here are some of the things we should learn from tomorrow night's game followed by one thing we already know.

1. Jack Wilshere has had a terrific season for Arsenal this year, cementing himself alongside Alexandre Song as the Gunners perfect defensive midfield platform, combining Song's aggression and defensive play with Wilshere's eye (and indeed, foot) for a pass. However, tomorrow night will see Fabio Capello, most likely, a 4-4-2 formation with Wilshere playing alongside skipper for the night Frank Lampard in centre midfield. We will see how Wilshere does in a two-man midfield without a natural enforcer alongside him.
   
2. One £18 million move in January and a couple of goals for your new club and a place in the England squad is yours. Welcome back Darren Bent! On a serious note, Bent has been consistently the best English goalscorer (if not forward) in the Premier League since 2005 and deserves a chance to prove himself at this level and tomorrow night, most likely playing up front with Wayne Rooney, Bent will have the best chance to show that he is good enough up against a strong Danish defence featuring Daniel Agger and Simon Kjaer.
   
3. Solid seasons from such players as Leighton Baines, Scott Parker, and Gary Cahill will not be rewarded with starts in the international set up as Capello instead opts for Ashley Cole, Lampard and John Terry respectively, all players who we know what they can do at this level, in more of a case of something we will continue to learn rather than will learn.
   
4. Just who are Capello's preferred options on the wings? With perhaps only Aaron Lennon missing from the squad, the wingers are the strongest area of depth and quality in the team this time around. We should learn whether Walcott is still first choice or whether Young is the choice on the left wing when we play an orthodox 4-4-2 or is the left-footed option of Downing the best choice and does James Milner have the pace to play on the wing in international football.
   
5. Will reputation take precedent over form, or should I say will reputation continue to take precedent over form in the shape of Glen Johnson starting (who is admittedly looking back to something near form under Dalglish) instead of the more worthy Kyle Walker who has been superb wherever he has played this season, providing an attacking threat mixed with sound defensive composure.
   

Oh, and the thing we already know, international friendlies are boring, dull, monotonous, uninteresting, uninspiring affairs largely arranged for the benefit of television companies and sponsors. Still, could be worse, could be playing in front of 25,000 people at the Aviva Stadium with your best playing not bothering to turn up for the 'competition'.