es mountains outside Saint-Remy-de-Provence, the well-preserved arc

Roy Hodgson says the FA will soon be in a position to announce details of Englands pre-Euro 2016 friendlies.This months games against Germany and the Netherlands are the last currently scheduled for Hodgsons side ahead of this summers tournament in France.But it is understood Australia and Portugal have been lined up as two of three opponents England will face between the end of the season and their first finals game against Russia on June 11. Hodgson was in France on Thursday for a briefing on refereeing and logistics and, speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, he said: Im very happy with the way things are progressing and expect the FA to make a clear announcement soon.I think were close to an official announcement, but until we can make that announcement I cant say anything.England go to Germany on March 26 before hosting the Dutch three days later, and Hodgson is due to name his squad on March 17. Hodgson would not be drawn on a potential call-up for Leicesters Danny Drinkwater Asked whether he might consider including Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater he said: Lots of people get mentioned. Virtually every club I go to has a player to mention.Fans have favourites and idols, but I dont intend to speak too much about what my plans are. Im going to keep that until the announcement on March 17.England will be without long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Jack Wilshere this month, while Wayne Rooney and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both out with knee injuries.Hodgson said: We have to accept that for those games in March I wont have those players, but hopefully by May when I really have to make a decision theyll be available for selection.The most important thing is that the players I select in May are 100 per cent fit and ready to go and Im not forced to make a very, very difficult decision: do I take a player whos not 100 per cent fit at the moment but may be in two or three weeks time?Also See:England latestEngland fixturesEngland statsTableCustom Pirates Jersey China . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Authentic Custom Pirates Jersey . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. http://www.custompiratesjersey.com/ . Thats about all he can do right now, so hes trying not to think about when he might be able to play again for the Los Angeles Lakers. Pirates Jerseys China . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Cheap Pirates Jerseys . Kyle Denbrook, a soccer player from Saint Marys University, took the CIS male athlete of the week honour. Stanley, a fourth-year business administration student from Charlottetown, scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Dalhousie on Friday and tallied again in a 1-0 win over Saint Marys on Sunday.MONT VENTOUX, France -- A gastronomical, sporting and cultural glance at Stage 12 of the Tour de France on Thursday:Region: The 178-kilometer (111-mile) leg began in Montpellier near the Mediterranean coast and took the peloton across the Rhone valley before concluding with the legendary climb to Mont Ventoux in the Vaucluse region. The stage passed by the 15th-century Chateau of Tarascon and scaled the stunning hilltop village of Gordes.Baguette and butter: Chris Froome was allowed to keep the yellow jersey after the Tour de France race jury ruled he lost his bike in unfair circumstances during a bizarre finale. In a complete embarrassment for race organizers on Bastille Day, Richie Porte crashed into a motorbike carrying a TV camera and Froome, who was right behind his former teammate, also crashed in the final kilometer on the wind-shortened climb to Mont Ventoux. Thomas De Gendt won the wind-shortened stage after getting into an early breakaway.Plat du jour: La Daube Provencale. A braised beef dish prepared with red wine, celery, garlic and carrots that is a classic of French cuisine. Best served with mashed potatoes or pasta and grated parmesan cheese.Culture: The peloton passed near the city of Avignon, which every July transforms itself into a gigantic theater scene during its festival of performing arts. Created in 1947 by Jean Vilar, the festival draws more than 150,000 spectators to its free events and for-pay shows. The festival is celebrating its 70th edition.Vin du jour: After ending his pro cyclingg career, 1984 Spanish Vuelta champion Eric Caritoux reinvented himself as a wine-grower.ddddddddddddCaritoux cultivates a small parcel of land at the foot of Mont Ventoux and sends his grapes to a local wine cooperative. The Cuvee Eric Caritoux is an affordable dark red wine with a spicy finish.History: Situated in the Alpilles mountains outside Saint-Remy-de-Provence, the well-preserved archaeological site of Glanum was a Gallic fortified town built around a sacred spring. The city prospered from the 2nd century BC and had many Greek and Roman influences.Stat of the Day: 11. Its been 11 years since the last French victory on Bastille Day. That last Frenchman to win on a July 14 was David Moncoutie in 2005.Quote of the Day: I dont want to take the jersey like that. Id rather take it with my legs and not a crash in a bad situation. Adam Yates, after race organizers reinstated Chris Froome in the yellow jersey.Dessert: The city of Apt in Vaucluse is the French capital of candied fruits, one of the best treats of Provence. The locals have been honing their production since the Middle Age, when fruits were preserved in honey before the introduction of sugar in France.Next order: Stage 13 is a 37.5-kilometer (23.3-mile) individual time trial in the Ardeche region from Bourg-Saint-Andeol to La Caverne du Pont-Darc. It features a tricky seven-kilometer climb at the start and a hilly finish. ' ' '