1 Are Rio Ferdinand and John Terry back to being England’s first-choice centre-halves?

IN the wake of last summer’s World Cup disappointment, a ground swell of opinion claimed John Terry’s best days were behind him. It certainly looked that way as Thomas Mueller and Mezut Ozil ran amok in Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium.

Similarly, Rio Ferdinand’s abject injury record led a number of commentators to question his right to an England place, regardless of his role as Fabio Capello’s captain.

Just eight months on, however, and the landscape has already changed once again. Where is the new generation of centre-halves who were supposed to come to the fore during the current round of European Championships qualifiers?

Matthew Upson’s form has slipped alarmingly, Phil Jagielka has struggled to prevent Everton’s back four from falling apart in the first half of the season, Joleon Lescott and Chris Smalling have barely featured for Manchester City and United respectively.

As a result, the clamour for change has died down, and Ferdinand and Terry are likely to be reunited for the first time since last May’s World Cup warm-up with Japan when Capello selects his side for Wednesday’s game in Copenhagen.

Fitness permitting, they are likely to remain together for the remainder of the qualifying programme.

2 Should Gareth Barry’s international days be at an end?

BACK in June, Barry was in the same boat as Terry and Ferdinand. He had been found wanting in all of England’s World Cup matches, albeit with the lingering effects of an injury that almost scuppered his participation in South Africa, and was seen to be representative of the failings of an entire generation of England players.

Since then, things have got even worse. He was abject as England failed to beat Montenegro in October, and failed to get anywhere near France’s midfielders as Capello’s side lost their final game of 2010 in November.

His lack of pace, which is not such a serious handicap at Premier League level, is a major weakness in international football, leaving England exposed whenever pacy midfielders run at their back four.

All too often, the England defence is prised open by swift, intricate passing moves. All too often, Barry’s presence at the base of midfield is a contributory factor.

To succeed at the highest level, Capello needs to identify and nurture a genuine holding midfielder.

Barry is not that player, and consequently it is time to ease him out of the team.

3 Is Jack Wilshere ready to play a leading role in the England midfield?

A LACK of emerging talent is clearly one of the biggest obstacles facing Capello as he looks to drive England forward towards next year’s European Championships and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

There are precious few players below the age of 21 making a compelling case for their inclusion at senior level, but Wilshere is not so much banging on the door, as completely breaking it down.

It takes a special talent to earn a place in the Arsenal midfield, but 19-year-old Wilshere has done exactly that this season, blending creative attacking with a competitiveness and workrate that marks him down as an especially exciting talent.

Is he ready for the cut and thrust of international football? There is only one way to find out, and after handing Wilshere his first cap as an 82nd-minute substitute in last August’s friendly with Hungary, Capello is expected to award a second from the start of Wednesday’s game in Denmark.

Sunderland’s Jordan Henderson wasn’t quite able to claim an extended run in the side when he made his debut against France in November.

Wilshere, at a more advanced stage of his footballing development, should achieve the feat next week.

4 Who are England’s most effective wingers?

IT is a question that has plagued Capello throughout his days as England boss. Who should he play in his two wide positions?

The list of candidates is seemingly never ending.

Adam Johnson, Stewart Downing, James Milner and Ashley Young on the left. Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright- Phillips on the right.

All given numerous opportunities to audition – none deemed worthy of the part.

Johnson has probably done most to demand automatic inclusion, but the North- Easterner, who still struggles to command a regular place in the Manchester City side, will miss next week’s friendly through injury.

In his absence, Capello might well have another look at Young, although the Aston Villa wide man is still to produce a stand-out performance in England colours.

With Frank Lampard back in the squad, it is certainly to be hoped Steven Gerrard is not shuffled back out to the left-hand side.

The opposite flank is arguably even more problematic, with Walcott surely running out of chances given his wretched first-half performance against France.

The problem is that the alternatives are no more appealing. Despite numerous let downs in the past, Capello might have to cross his fingers and hope the Arsenal winger comes good.

5 What should England do with Wayne Rooney?

YET another question that has been a constant source of irritation throughout Capello’s reign. At his best, Wayne Rooney is England’s likeliest match winner. At anything below his optimum, and let’s be honest, it’s a long time since he did anything of note for his country, the Manchester United striker is a liability.

Would it be best to drop him entirely? Given the presence of Jay Bothroyd and Kevin Davies in recent England squads, there is nowhere near enough attacking depth to suggest that.

Some sort of a plan needs to be formulated though, and it would help if Capello had a clear idea of Rooney’s best role within the side.

Is he a player who needs to be leading the line, alongside someone like Jermain Defoe?

Is he better as a second striker, playing off a target man such as Andy Carroll?

Should he be playing as a deep-lying striker, with the freedom to pull defenders here, there and everywhere and link midfield and attack?

Personally, I’d go with the former, as whenever he is played in a free role, Rooney’s roaming instincts tend to detract from the rest of England’s play.

Ultimately, though, Capello must make his own decision and stick with it for the rest of the qualifying campaign.