England set for busy schedule

The FA said it was poised to announce a February 6 clash to launch a year of celebration that will also include another glamour friendly on May 29 and the already-confirmed August 14 showdown with Scotland.

Should England not be involved in the play-offs for the 2014 FIFA World Cup the following November, it would then seek to arrange two more such games.

FA communications director Adrian Bevington refused to reveal the opponents that were being sought for the first two matches, which are likely to be at Wembley.

But he added: "We will try to ensure that the friendlies available to our fans will be reflective of the history of the England national team and will be extremely attractive to everybody."

That would appear to make Germany the dream opponents for the May fixture, with Joachim Low's men scheduled to play France on the February date.

That could be filled by a number of teams and supporters would doubtless be most excited about a match against Brazil or Argentina, although they are also likely to have the chance to travel to Brazil next summer for an away friendly against the World Cup host.

Bevington confirmed England planned to fly to the country the day after the May 29 match for two fixtures - the other possibly being against Uruguay - and those games could take place in Rio and Belo Horizonte.

England would seek to make use of the base camp it identifies for its potential World Cup finals campaign during that trip.

Should it qualify, its build-up to the World Cup would see it play a Wembley friendly in March 2014 and another that May before one more en route to Brazil.

There had been suggestions that would be in Florida but that has been played down.

England's potential road to Brazil:

2012

September 7: Moldova (a) World Cup qualifier

September 11: - Ukraine (h) World Cup qualifier

October 12 - San Marino (h) World Cup qualifier

October 16 - Poland (a) World Cup qualifier

November 14 - Sweden (a) Friendly

2013

February 6 - TBC (h) Friendly

March 22 - San Marino (a) World Cup qualifier

March 22 - Montenegro (a) World Cup qualifier

May 29 - TBC (h) Friendly

May 30 - Travel to Brazil for two-match tour tour

August 14 - Scotland (h) Friendly

September 6 - Moldova (h) World Cup qualifier

September 10 - Ukraine (a) World Cup qualifier

October 11 - Montenegro (h) World Cup qualifier

October 15 - Poland (h) World Cup qualifier

November - Either World Cup qualifying play-offs or two friendlies

2014

March - TBA (h) Friendly

May - Friendly at Wembley prior to departure for Brazil, and another fixture en route to World Cup base.