James Milner insists Fabio Capello's use of a host of untested players is good preparation for England ahead of Euro 2012.
No such thing as automatic selection in Capello's squad
James Milner insists England coach Fabio Capello's use of a host of untested players in the latest international games is good preparation ahead of Euro 2012.
The international break saw Capello field 23 players in total, handing debuts to several young players as England recorded two home wins over Spain and Sweden, and complete a calendar year without losing a match.
Milner says he welcomes the mix of youth and experience in a squad with emerging talent and more established capped players.
Results
"You see the whole squad's played and two good results against two good teams," Milner said.
"To get two wins, two clean sheets and changing the team as much as we did shows that there's a lot of quality fighting for places."
First international caps were given to Daniel Sturridge, Jack Rodwell and Kyle Walker while Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck cemented their selection in the squad.
Manchester City midfielder Milner who made his international debut two years ago thinks there is now an emerging balance to the squad.
Quality
He added: "There's definitely quality coming through and I think the more experience we get as a team together, with that mixture of the older players and younger, can only do us good.
"We're always learning and wanting to improve and play better and move forward as a team.
"But, ultimately, if you can not play as well and win games, which we have done this year, that's the sign of a strong team."
