Tentative discussions have taken place over the possibility of an additional England friendly being arranged next June.Fabio Capello's men have one Euro 2012 fixture, against Switzerland on Saturday, June 4, before immediately heading east to play Thailand in a match that has been arranged as part of the campaign to secure the 2018 World Cup.
It has now been suggested that another match might be played in the same region, with Japan, South Korea and Australia all mentioned as potential opponents.
Such speculation might alarm England's leading clubs, who would hope to have their players on summer holiday at that point.
However, the Football Association believe obstacles such as player release can be overcome if the plan for an extra fixture is formalised.
The FA are not making any public statement on the matter but stress privately that talks are at the earliest possible stage and there is no certainty a third June fixture will be agreed.
Yet it would probably be a useful exercise for Capello given his side are already well placed to reach the next European Championships, by which time the Italian will have to find a way to get the best out of his players at the end of a hard domestic season, something he failed to achieve at the World Cup.
The FA are keen to stress that if another match was played, it would not involve any travel beyond the geographical boundaries presently arranged, which would appear to rule out Australia as a destination, if not actual opponents.
They also believe Capello is generating some goodwill by not demanding his players report for duty ahead of next month's qualifier with Montenegro until October 7, giving them three valuable days off when the season is at one of its most congested phases.
As England also only have one competitive game to play in March, when the destination of silverware is being determined, clubs may not be too worried about their players being involved in three June fixtures if they have benefited at a time that suits them.
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