Which South Yorkshire players could be turning out at Euro 2016 this summer?

While international breaks for friendlies may not be favourable with a sizeable portion of English football fans, this week's fixtures may provide a key indication of which players are travelling to France for the long-anticipated Euros this summer.
Roy Hodgson watches Jame Vardy, Gary Cahill and Ross BarkleyRoy Hodgson watches Jame Vardy, Gary Cahill and Ross Barkley
Roy Hodgson watches Jame Vardy, Gary Cahill and Ross Barkley

South Yorkshire has plenty of representation for this weekend's clashes, and fans can hope to have many players with local connections jostling for places right at the heart of the footballing action right across the summer.

We've had a look at some of South Yorkshire's Euro candidates who are in this week's squads...

John Stones, Ross Barkley and Chris SmallingJohn Stones, Ross Barkley and Chris Smalling
John Stones, Ross Barkley and Chris Smalling

Gary Cahill

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Age - 30. Born- Dronfield. Club - Chelsea. Former Clubs - Aston Villa, Burnley, Sheffield United, Bolton Wanderers. Caps- 40

Chances of selection

It is arguable that Gary Cahill, of any current player with roots to South Yorkshire, may be the most shocked to miss out on a spot on the England plane. In a post Terry-Ferdinand England team, Cahill can justifiably claim his throne as being England's primary centre-half.

Jamie Vardy in England trainingJamie Vardy in England training
Jamie Vardy in England training

He has appeared for the national side since 2010 when he was handed his debut by then-new England manager Roy Hodgson, just two years after a loan spell at Sheffield United.

Since then, he has not looked back, establishing himself as the one of the first names on the England team sheet scoring three goals in the process. Having started all three games at the 2014 World Cup, he is widely expected to do the same at this summer's championships.

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Injury, it seems, is the only thing barring Cahill to a Euro spot.

Phil Jagielka

England manager Roy HodgsonEngland manager Roy Hodgson
England manager Roy Hodgson

Age - 33. Born - Manchester. Club - Everton. Former Clubs - Sheffield United. Caps - 38

Chances of selection

Alongside his often central-defensive partner, Phil Jagielka can draw some of his footballing heritage from South Yorkshire.

The Everton man's partnership with Chris Morgan at Sheffield United in many ways personified the grit and determination of Neil Warnock's premier league dream. Having played every minute of the Blades' 2006/07 relegation season, his qualities paved the way for a big money move to the Toffees.

Aiden McGeady will be hoping to be in the Republic of Ireland squad for the EurosAiden McGeady will be hoping to be in the Republic of Ireland squad for the Euros
Aiden McGeady will be hoping to be in the Republic of Ireland squad for the Euros
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He made his international debut in 2008, before starting competitively in 2010 for the first time alongside Cahill in a qualifier with Bulgaria. While he may be past his best and facing a huge struggle to replace Chris Smalling at centre-back, he will surely be France-bound.

Danny Rose

Age - 25. Born - Doncaster. Club - Tottenham Hotspur. Former Clubs - Leeds United, Watford, Peterborough United, Bristol City, Sunderland. Caps- 0

Chances of selection

While he is yet to make an appearance for the English national team, Danny Rose may have a realistic chance of Euro selection if his performances continue to impress.

After all, he is a regular starter in a Spurs team that has the best Premier League defence, whereas Leighton Baines forms part of one of the leakiest at Everton. While he has attracted occasional mirth for his final product, Rose has been dynamic and influential at numerous points this season.

Doncaster Rovers' Luke McCullough is aiming to travel to France with Northern IrelandDoncaster Rovers' Luke McCullough is aiming to travel to France with Northern Ireland
Doncaster Rovers' Luke McCullough is aiming to travel to France with Northern Ireland
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And despite not earning an international cap, he has played for the Great British Olympic team and was an England Under-21 veteran having played 29 times for the youngsters.

John Stones

Age - 21. Born - Barnsley. Club - Everton. Former Clubs - Barnsley. Caps - 7

Chances of selection

Barnsley born-and-bred, John Stones made such an impression at Oakwell that he earned himself a £3 million move to Everton in the 2013 January transfer window. Subsequently, he has been publicly courted for big-money by the likes of Chelsea, with rumoured bids of up to £38 million being reported.

On an international level, he has won seven recent caps, playing a big role in English qualification to the Euros. His performances led Gerard Pique to extraordinarily name him in his personal world XI.

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With Jagielka and Cahill not getting any younger, the onus is on for England to produce a solid back-four once more. Stones is as close as England may get to finding a regular centre-half to fill the void that Terry and Ferdinand left. His place at the Euros is not certain, but is most probable.

Kyle Walker

Age -25. Born - Sheffield. Club - Tottenham Hotspur. Former Clubs - Sheffield United, Northampton Town, Queens Park Rangers. Caps- 13

Chances of selection

Growing up in the Sharrow area of Sheffield, Kyle Walker used his frightening speed and athleticism to wow crowds in his hometown at Bramall Lane. He was the youngest Blades player ever to play at Wembley before he eventually moved on to Spurs along with team-mate Kyle Naughton.

Having been named in numerous squads but not having a part to play, Walker got his chance on the national stage in 2012 against Spain. In 2013 he became a starter for England, playing six games.

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However, since then he fallen down the pecking order due to injury and form. He faces stiff competition from Nathaniel Clyne if he wants to start matches at the Euros.

Jamie Vardy

Age - 29. Born - Sheffield. Club - Leicester City. Former Clubs - Stocksbridge Park Steels, FC Halifax Town, Fleetwood Town. Caps- 4

Chances of selection

While not having the illustrious international past of Cahill and Jagielka, Jamie Vardy's story is as world-renowned as his goal-scoring exploits are. Picked up from relative mediocrity by Leicester City, his career has sky-rocketed beyond even his belief.

Electric pace and lethal finishing hand-in-hand has left Premier League defenders trailing in his wake, mirroring the velocity of Leicester's ascent to the top of English football's pyramid.

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His form has led to four international caps, and the former technician, if this season's squads are anything to go by, should be ready to pack his things.

And there are further names in the England squad familiar to fans of South Yorkshire football. Namely, Jack Butland and Danny Drinkwater, who both have spent spells on loan at Barnsley.

The former is realistically Joe Hart's number-one back-up, and with John Ruddy having an unsure season at Norwich, should be fairly assured of his selection, even if he may not play any games.

Meanwhile, Danny Drinkwater, alongside Vardy under the tutelage of Claudio Ranieri, can likewise thank the meteoric rise of his club, as well as his own passing and positional abilities, as potential passes to the Euros.

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England, just as in the centre-half position, are without the Lampard-Gerrard combination in midfield that garced so many tournaments previously. Jordan Henderson is undoubtedly in the frame for one spot, but Drinkwater has a real but difficult shot at the other.

The reason for this difficulty is partly 22 year-old Ross Barkley, who spent a spell on loan at Sheffield Wednesday in 2012. His gifted technical ability and stinging shot attributes are giving Roy Hodgson a selection headache for Henderson's midfield partner.

And both Sheffield clubs could have an even more direct connection with the Euros with some of their non-English representatives.

Sheffield Wednesday have a good chance of Euro 2016 representation with on-loan Aiden McGeady, an international veteran, currently vying for a place in the squad having been on the fringes of Everton's first team. Meanwhile, Keiren Westwood has an outside chance of being involved but Martin O'Neill doesn't appear to be a big fan of the owls number one.

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Other candidates for the Owls include Daniel Pudil, who has been an infrequent starter for the Czech national side while Caolan Lavery was called up by Northern Ireland last year but a lack of first team football led to him failing to make an international breakthrough.

In League One, Sheffield United's Conor Sammon has nine Republic of Ireland caps to his name but hasn't featured for almost three years. Doncaster Rovers' 22-year-old centre-back Luke McCollough, however, has a great chance after winning five caps for Northern Ireland in the last five years as well as a call-up to the most recent squad.

Meanwhile, Barnsley's on loan midfielder Lloyd Isgrove has earned himself a spot on the international list, and possibly a seat on the Welsh plane, after being called up for Wales in this week's friendlies.