Tuesday 2 February 2016 14:28, UK
England will play Australia in the north east as part of their preparations for Euro 2016, Sky sources understand.
The FA has yet to confirm any of England's warm-up games for the tournament but it is expected Roy Hodgson's men will take on the Socceroos at either Sunderland's Stadium of Light or St James' Park in Newcastle on May 27.
England have not played Australia in a football international since the 3-1 defeat at Upton Park in 2003, a match which saw Wayne Rooney handed his debut when Sven Goran Eriksson changed his entire line-up at half time.
Hodgson, along with assistants Ray Lewington and Gary Neville, is keen to take England on the road to mirror logistics they will experience during the European tournament.
England have not played in the north east since 2005 when St James' Park hosted the World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan, a game the home side won 2-0 with goals from Steven Gerrard and David Beckham.
Hodgson hopes to have three friendlies in the run-up to Euro 2016, with Portugal expected to be one of the other opponents.
That would mean the final game coming against a team that failed to qualify for the tournament, with new UEFA rules limiting teams to one match against teams that will also be in France over the summer.
England's first game at Euro 2016 takes place in Marseille against Russia on June 11.