Who will make Capello’s final cut? (From The Northern Echo)

Who will make Capello’s final cut?

9:49am Friday 20th November 2009

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WITH just one more friendly to play before Fabio Capello names his provisional 23-man squad for the World Cup finals, the clock is ticking.

March’s friendly, which is expected to be against African opposition, may help Capello to check on the form and fitness of some of his fringe performers, but by the time his side next takes to the field, the Italian’s mind is likely to be made up.

So assuming that everyone is fit and available for South Africa, who are the 23 players that are likely to be donning official England blazers next June?

And who are the wildcards that could make a dramatic late charge for inclusion?

GOALKEEPERS (3)

Robert Green, David James, Ben Foster Wildcard: Joe Hart ENGLAND’S goalkeeping options are weaker than those of any other area of the squad, and for that reason alone, it is hard to imagine Capello leaving David James at home despite his concerns over the Portsmouth goalkeeper’s fitness.

James’ inability to train between matches is a worry, but the veteran’s experience could be crucial given the lack of tried-andtested alternatives.

Robert Green will compete with the 39-yearold for the right to be number one, and the West Ham shot-stopper is slight favourite to start England’s opening group game.

Ben Foster has suffered a wretched start to the season, but the fact that Capello started him last Saturday suggests he currently prefers him to Chris Kirkland, Scott Carson or Joe Hart.

Hart, a graduate from Under-21 level, is the player most likely to make a late push for inclusion, although his performances for Birmingham have hardly been sensational to this point.

DEFENDERS (8)

Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Wes Brown, Matthew Upson, Joleon Lescott, Wayne Bridge Wildcard: Kieran Gibbs ENGLAND’S first-choice back four picks itself and, barring injury, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole will line up for the opening game in South Africa.

Beyond that, though, problems arise.

Wes Brown’s weaknesses at right-back were glaringly exposed in Saturday’s defeat to Brazil, but the Manchester United man remains arguably the only alternative to Johnson. Gary Neville is past his best, while Micah Richards has regressed to an alarming extent in the last 12 months. Brown’s versatility means he will go.

The same is true of Joleon Lescott, whose ability to slot in at left-back is enough to elevate him above a number of his rivals at centre-half.

With Matthew Upson established as the leading alternative to Terry and Ferdinand, that means no place for the likes of Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate (too injuryprone) or Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill (too inexperienced).

The left-back position is just about as weak as the right, with Wayne Bridge having deputised for Ashley Cole in Doha despite a string of less than impressive displays for his club side, Manchester City.

Bridge has been an England nearly-man for the best part of a decade now, so Capello could be tempted to fast-track Arsenal youngster Kieran Gibbs into his squad.

The 20-year-old has starred for England Under- 21s recently, but much will depend on how many senior starts he makes for the Gunners in the next six months.

MIDFIELDERS (8)

Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, Theo Walcott, David Beckham, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole Wildcard: Owen Hargreaves THE first three names pick themselves, with Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard all certain to start whenever fit. From there, though, things get a bit more complicated.

Aaron Lennon has muscled his way ahead of Shaun Wright-Phillips in the race to be England’s right midfielder, and the Spurs man will go to South Africa provided his form does not drop off alarmingly in the second half of the campaign.

However, he is unlikely to be the only wideman chosen, with Theo Walcott and David Beckham both likely to make the cut.

Walcott’s pace poses a completely different set of questions to anyone else in England’s squad, while Beckham’s experience, crossing ability and willingness to slot inside make him an ideal squad player.

Michael Carrick will be included as the leading alternative at central midfield, but the identity of the eighth midfielder will hinge on how attacking Capello wants to be.

James Milner’s versatility gives him a chance, but assuming there are only four attackers, there might well be room for the mercurial skills of Joe Cole.

Much, though, could also depend on Owen Hargreaves’ recovery from injury. As the leading holding midfielder in the English game, Hargreaves could force Capello’s hand if he holds down a place in the Manchester United team in March, April and May.

ATTACKERS (4)

Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch Wilcard: Carlton Cole WAYNE Rooney is the ultimate no-brainer, and Emile Heskey’s place is equally secure despite his chronic lack of goals at both international and club level.

Heskey is absolutely integral to England’s preferred style of play under Capello, and it would be a major surprise if the Aston Villa man did not start next summer’s tournament as his side’s number nine.

The two remaining places would appear to boil down to a pair of straight choices – Jermain Defoe or Darren Bent; Peter Crouch or Carlton Cole.

Defoe has been there and done it at international level, and for that reason alone, it is hard to see Bent dislodging him no matter how many goals he scores for Sunderland.

Cole is much more muscular than Crouch, and the West Ham man would play himself into contention if he enjoyed a particularly strong end to the campaign at Upton Park.

Crouch will be alarmed at his current lack of opportunities at White Hart Lane, but the Spurs man will remain confident of scraping into Capello’s final four.

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