England

The Three Lions hold a six-point lead over this week’s opponents having played a game more which means avoiding defeat will be enough to send the likes of Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Ashley Cole to another international tournament. England did not feature at Euro 2008 thanks to Steve McClaren’s disastrous reign and it’s fair to say hopes will not be too high in nine months’ time given the fact the 2010 World Cup campaign is still too fresh in the memory.

In fact, the Three Lions have an extremely unspectacular record in the history of the European Championships – third place in 1968 and 1996 are all they can shout about – and fans are wary after the flop in South Africa. As in the current qualification campaign, England made short work of getting to South Africa 2010 so what does the future bode for the crop of players – based on the squad for Montenegro – who will represent the country in the summer of 2012?

Goalkeepers: Scott Carson (Bursaspor), Joe Hart (Man City), David Stockdale (Ipswich)

No disrespect to the others, but Capello had better hope Joe Hart stays fit as he is simply head and shoulders above the competition which can cause its own problems.

Should anything happen to Hart, a keeper who will play a lot of high-pressure games between now and next summer, the cupboard is pretty bare.

On the flip side, Hart is competing in the Champions League this term and will be better for it.

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Bolton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Man Utd), Micah Richards (Man City), John Terry (captain, Chelsea), Kyle Walker (Tottenham)

All things being equal, captain John Terry and left-back Ashley Cole will be among the first names on Capello’s teamsheet.

Rio Ferdinand used to be but the centre-half now faces a battle not just for an international start but also one at Manchester United given his injury problem and the Red Devils’ recruitment drive.

Gary Cahill and Phil Jones will want to push Ferdinand – who has only just returned to fitness – all the way as he looks to return at some point.

At right-back Glen Johnson seems to have slipped behind Kyle Walker and Micah Richards because of his ongoing injury issues.

Midfield: Gareth Barry (Man City), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Man City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Man City), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Man Utd)

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has rightly been omitted as he has hardly played since March but will make Euro 2012 if fit.

Elsewhere, Capello has big calls to make with many of his current squad hardly guaranteed starts at their respective clubs.

England’s midfield used to be predictable but only Ashley Young seems sure of his place at the moment, while tough-tackling Scott Parker’s suitability for international tournament football surely a question mark over his role in Poland and Ukraine.

Going out on a limb, Owen Hargreaves and Jack Wilshere will not be living in fear of making an impact now the former is back and the latter certain to make an impact at some point when he does return to action.

Strikers: Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Danny Welbeck (Man Utd), Bobby Zamora (Fulham)

Wayne Rooney’s 2010 World Cup meltdown seems an eternity away and the fans will be delighted about it.

But what he really needs is a foil to play off and you could make cases for both Andy Carroll and Darren Bent.

However, Capello likes pace around Rooney like Young and Walcott so it seems Rooney + A.N. Other up front will likely form the Italian’s Plan B.

What does seem certain though is that Peter Crouch and Michael Owen can book their summer holidays already.

England are 8/11 to win in Montenegro, the draw is 9/4 and a home win available at 10/3.

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Three Lions coach Fabio Capello stressed after last summer’s World Cup debacle in South Africa that he would start building for the long term by gradually drafting in the anticipated stars of the future, while also ensuring the country does not miss out on another European Championships next year (England 1/6 Group G Winner).

A host of young players were drafted into an experimental squad for last November’s 2-1 friendly defeat against France at Wembley. However, as a potentially dangerous qualifier against Home Nations rivals Wales in Cardiff is approaching next month, Capello has opted to bring back most of his big guns to face the Danes – but Wilshere’s continued involvement suggests the Italian tactician meant it when he recently said he would build a team around him.

Capello declared an intention to hand 19-year-old Wilshere (5/1 Anytime Goalscorer) a midfield holding berth in Copenhagen which will no doubt have Gareth Barry sweating over his England involvement for the rest of the qualification campaign and beyond.

On the prospect of playing alongside Wilshere on Wednesday, his Gunners team-mate Theo Walcott, who is also looking to prove a point after being left out of Capello’s World Cup squad, praised his qualities and also the level of talent emerging such as right-back Kyle Walker, who has been included in the squad for the first time, and Liverpool’s injured £35million hitman Andy Carroll.

On Wilshere, Walcott said: “Jack is a dream to play with. He has confidence and plays with no fear. He is so gifted. If he gets an opportunity this week I am sure he will grab it with both hands.”

Skipper Rio Ferdinand is injured while his stand-in Steve Gerrard is also missing due to a groin injury so there could be starts for Tottenham’s Michael Dawson alongside John Terry in defence and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is in line to get the captain’s armband.

If Dawson does feature it will mark a successful return to the fold after he feared his Euro 2012 qualification campaign was over when he suffered ankle and knee injuries against Bulgaria in September.

He said: “I am happy the chance with England again has come around again. I have been back playing for a couple of months and, if you get in England squad, it is through what I have been doing for Spurs.

“I want to do as well as possible and Wednesday is a chance to stake a claim for Cardiff next month, a qualifier.”

Wayne Rooney got the backing of Capello last week after his two-goal blast against Aston Villa and he is set to start in attack alongside Aston Villa’s £24million hitman Darren Bent against Denmark.

Joe Hart has come in for some criticism in recent weeks, but Capello is set to stick with the Manchester City man between the sticks this week in the hope he can get his confidence back before the Wales date (7/4 England To Keep A Clean Sheet).

Prediction: Draw/England Half Time/Full Time @ 9/2
Value Bet: Wayne Rooney 1st scorer/ England To Win 2-1 @ 25/1

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England

Capello brought in four new faces but also discarded in-form Bolton striker Kevin Davies – seemingly consigned to the international scrapheap as a 32-year-old ‘one-cap wonder’.

The decision to omit Davies may be understandable, given that the Wembley clash is a chance to assess his options for the future and build towards the Euro 2012 finals in Poland and the Ukraine.

But anybody watching the form of Cahill recently, and Capello was at Molineux to see another accomplished performance from the ex-Aston Villa defender on Saturday, will know that he is worthy of his place.

Smalling, although playing well himself when given his chance by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, has not started a single Premier League game this season – rendering his selection at best puzzling.

Micah Richards has also been brought out of the international wilderness in the week that he went public and moaned about his lack of opportunities under Capello.

But the Manchester City man was dropped by his club manager Roberto Mancini after playing in back-to-back defeats to Wolves and Lech Poznan, losing his place to Jerome Boateng.

Is the England coach now offering spots in the squad to players who, because of the competition for places at their clubs, cannot get regular football and simply need a game ?

West Ham striker Carlton Cole has been called into the squad as cover for Andy Carroll and Gabriel Agbonlahor who suffered injuries playing for their clubs on Saturday.

Cole has seven caps and no goals as yet for his country, but has shown glimpses in the past of being able to finally banish the prospect of Emile Heskey ever pulling on a jersey with the Three Lions on its chest again.

However, he is playing poorly and has so far managed one goal in sixteen appearances for the Hammers this season – statistics that would make even Heskey wince.

Cardiff striker Bothroyd becomes the first player in the Bluebirds’ 111-year history to be called up by England – and the latest from outside the Premier League – after going on a remarkable scoring run.

After bagging in his last seven matches, Bothroyd now has 15 goals to his name and surely must rank as the most in-form frontman of the pack (Peter Crouch not having scored so far in the Premier League), assuming that Carroll is not fit enough to play, but will he start ?

Only Capello knows, but with his muddied thinking, you tend to think not.

Bothroyd is 13/2 in First Goalscorer betting, Carroll 5/1, Agbonlahor 13/2 and Crouch 6/1.

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England

The Manchester United star caused a storm last week by stating he was ready to call time on his Old Trafford career, but then had a change of heart and agreed a contract extension with United to keep him at the club until 2015 (Manchester United 9/2 to win the 2010-11 Premier League).

The 25-year-old’s private life has also dominated the front and back pages in recent weeks, but Capello claims the only thing that counts for him is the striker’s actions on the pitch. With just one league goal to his name this season, a penalty against West Ham, Capello has told Rooney he needs to find his form or risk losing his place in the England side.

“If he’s (in form) I’ll play him, otherwise no,” Capello told RAI. “For anything else, you’ve got to ask (Manchester United boss Sir Alex) Ferguson.”

Rooney has struggled for form since the end of last season and failed to deliver for England at the World Cup in South Africa during the summer.

Ferguson stated earlier in the campaign the striker was suffering with an ankle problem, which Rooney later denied, although he is now sidelined with an ankle injury which will see him miss Tuesday’s Carling Cup showdown with Wolves at Old Trafford.

Mexican striker Javier Hernandez is expected to be rested, after hitting a brace against Stoke on Sunday, and Ferguson could hand Michael Owen the chance to impress against Mick McCarthy’s men.

The United boss set to make plenty of changes to his starting XI in order to give his first choice players a rest ahead of a crucial Premier League showdown with Spurs on Saturday (Manchester United 2/7, Draw 4/1, Wolves 11/1 – Match Betting).

Rooney could possibly return to action on November 10 when United make the short trip across Manchester to face fierce rivals Manchester City at Eastlands, despite initial reports suggesting he could be out of action for over three weeks.

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England

The 24-year-old striker had been a doubt for England’s third match in Group G after picking up an ankle injury but the former Everton man has made a speedy recovery and is set to partner Peter Crouch in attack at Wembley, after Darren Bent was ruled out of the match with a groin injury.

Rooney failed to spark at last summer’s World Cup and has yet to hit the heights for Manchester United this term, with allegations about his private life seemingly affecting his performances and overall state of mind.

But he has been training well with the England squad and the boss believes that his body and mind are now both pulling in the right direction for the vital clash with the surprise leaders of the qualifying group.

“I spoke with Sir Alex who told me, when I decided the squad, that Rooney would be fit because the ankle problem was not so big,” Capello said.

“I spoke with Rooney about the situation, his situation. I monitored him during the training and he trained perfectly, really well.

“He’s focused on the game. He’s happy. He’s smiling a lot. He’s in a good moment, better than he was when we played against Switzerland.”

An England victory would see them take over top spot from the Balkans outfit on goal difference and open up a sizeable gap back to third place, with any one of Bulgaria, Wales or Switzerland possibly sitting in third spot depending on Tuesday’s results (England 1/25 to qualify for Euro 2012).

It appears as though young wingers Adam Johnson and Ashley Young will start for England and try to provide the crosses for Crouch to feed off, and Capello is unconcerned about their lack of playing time at the top level.

“People say they are inexperienced players but the confidence of Adam is good. He’s played three or four games,” he added.

“Ashley Young has also played very well in a couple of games and done well in a more central role for Aston Villa.”

Rio Ferdinand will captain the side after returning to fitness, with Steven Gerrard returning to the ranks after leading the team with distinction.

Much is expected of the Manchester United defender, who missed the World Cup in South Africa through injury and has only just returned to first-team action at Old Trafford, as John Terry is absent through injury and Phil Jagielka is also missing.

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Sunderland

The 26-year-old may have been overlooked for the Italian’s 2010 World Cup squad, when Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey and Peter Crouch got the nod.

But Capello insists he will be involved for his country now on, stating on the FA website: “Bent is back. In front of goal, he is really dangerous.

“He played 20 minutes against Switzerland and scored an important goal. Now he is training really well. He is probably one of the important players for the future.”

Bent failed to make the cut for the ill-fated trip to South Africa in the summer despite smashing 24 goals last term to finish second behind Rooney as the most prolific English striker in the Premier League.

The former Charlton and Ipswich star has successfully relaunched his career with the Black Cats after an unhappy spell with Tottenham between 2007-09.

The Londoner still managed 18 goals in 60 appearances for the White Hart Lane outfit, however he never really seemed to have the confidence of boss Harry Redknapp having been signed by Martin Jol.

Bent made the switch to the Stadium of Light for £10m although he could eventually cost Sunderland a reported £16.5m, if various add-ons become payable by the Wearsiders (Sunderland 9/1 – Top Six Finish).

England are not in action until Tuesday October 12 when they entertain Montenegro in a Euro 2012 qualifier, with Capello keen to give his squad as much rest as possible.

He confirmed: “A lot of players have played a lot of games before we play, I prefer to select the players for the game on Tuesday.

“Also I prefer not to play a friendly game on the Friday because we think that the Montenegro game will be really, really important.”

Capello added: “We know that in this period we are really good, the players are playing well and physically it is a really good moment.

“We have to wait five months for the next game with Wales, so we know what we have to do.”

England have got off to a storming start to their Euro 2012 qualification campaign, with back-to-back wins against Bulgaria and Switzerland to top Group G (Three Lions 1/25 – To Qualify).

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Fabio Capello

The 33-year-old former Blackburn and Southampton striker has never been picked for the full international squad, despite having impressed for the Trotters in recent campaigns.

With Davies coming to the end of his career, it will come as a shock to the player himself that he has been included in the Italian’s 23 for the qualifier.

Capello had few options to choose from with Bobby Zamora and Jermain Defoe injured and Emile Heskey having retired from the international game.

Davies is joined in the squad by Peter Crouch, Darren Bent and Wayne Rooney, despite his recent injury problems.

The Manchester United forward was ruled out for three weeks last week by Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson but has been given a call-up by Capello.

The 23-year-old has struggled for form this season after an awful World Cup, with reports suggesting he has been badly affected by the well publicised off-the-field problems which have dogged his personal life recently.

Despite his problems, Capello has decided to include Rooney for the Wembley clash against Montenegro next Tuesday, who join England (9/1 not to qualify for Euro 2012) at the top of Group G having won their first two matches.

There is no place for Newcastle striker Andy Carroll, despite the promising forward being left out of the England Under-21 squad.

The other surprise inclusions, aside from Davies, include recalls for West Ham’s Robert Green and Liverpool’s Joe Cole, both of whom haven’t been seen in an England shirt since the World Cup.

Cole and Green have had mixed starts for their respective clubs this season, with Capello opting to given the Hammers shot stopper a reprieve in place of Scott Carson.

Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere also makes the 23 having featured in every one of the Gunners matches so far this season.

There are also recalls for John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, after both missed out on the first two qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Aaron Lennon also finds himself back in the England (9/1 Euro 2012 outright) fold with Theo Walcott sidelined through injury.

Those unlucky enough to miss out after call-ups for the last squad include Gary Cahill, Michael Carrick, Carlton Cole and Kieran Gibbs.

England squad in full:

Ben Foster (Birmingham City), Robert Green (West Ham United), Joe Hart (Manchester City);

Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa);

Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Joe Cole (Liverpool), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa);

Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Kevin Davies (Bolton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

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England

The Italian manager believes that off the field revelations about the Manchester United striker’s private life would not affect his decision to select the player.

Rooney’s form for United (11/2 to win the FA Cup) has dipped since his personal life became the centre of media attention as he has only managed to score one goal for the Old Trafford side so far this season.

The former Everton striker picked up an ankle injury in the Red Devils’ Premier League clash with Bolton and will be hoping that he will be fit enough to play for England on October 12.

Capello believes that just playing matches is the best thing that Rooney can do to help him deal with life off the pitch.

He said: “I think at this moment, when you play (if you have private problems) it is better because you are focused on the game and training.

“The games Rooney played in the new position, he played very well. I was very happy. I hope he will be fit for the next game.

“I can speak about the performances for the national team, not about the performances for United,? he added.

Rooney did feature in England’s last European qualifier as they beat Switzerland 3-1, scoring the first goal for the Three Lions.

Capello has stated that he does not think players having problems with money and fame is not a new phenomenon.

He said: Not only now, but before there were the same problems every year – in Italy, Spain and the world.

“It is young people, young men with a lot of money. A lot of money is sometimes one problem, a positive problem. Sometimes.

“Does that make modern management impossible? No. It is private problems. It depends on the people they stay around, the friends.”

Rooney will be hoping to put his off-field problems behind him as he works his way back to fitness.

The 24-year-old should be fit enough to face Montenegro before he goes back to playing for United who will face West Brom in the Premier League.

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Fabio Capello

The 64-year-old Italian tactician narrowly escaped the axe from his £6million-a-year post this summer following the Three Lions’ disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa in which several lacklustre performances ended with a dismal 4-1 thrashing against Germany in the second round.

However, the Football Association stuck with Capello and his bid to get England to the European Championships in two years’ time (England 1/7 Group G Winner) has started impressively with two opening wins against Bulgaria and Switzerland with seven goals scored and only one conceded.

England’s good start has been all the more admirable given that the experienced and influential Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard have both been absent due to injuries. And the likes of Adam Johnson and Theo Walcott – who both missed the World Cup – have both shown why they can now be key men for the national side in the Euro 2012 qualification campaign.

A victory against a Montenegro side, which has also started with two wins, at Wembley next month would put England (1/25 Yes – To Qualify) in an excellent position to make the finals in Poland and Ukraine. And, while there have been suggestions that Capello could even be asked to stay on until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he has made his mind up to call it a day and put his feet up.

When asked if he would be leaving after 2012, Capello said: “Absolutely. Yes.

“We have to qualify first of course but after that I will be too old.

“I want to enjoy my life as a pensioner.”

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Fabio Capello

Capello was desperate for his men to put in a good performance in front of 73,000 fans at Wembley to atone for their dreadful showing at the World Cup, which saw them exit the competition to Germany at the last-16 stage.

It was touch-and-go as to whether the Italian tactician would keep his job after the 4-1 debacle against the Germans but he remains committed to the cause and Friday’s solid performance was just what the nation needed to get the feel-good factor back around the England team after such a disappointing campaign in South Africa.

Despite promising changes, Capello has kept faith with a number of players who were to blame for the World Cup shambles and they repaid his faith with three points to open up their eight-match Group G campaign (England 2/9 to win Group G).

Defoe opened the scoring in just the third minute and added further goals on 61 and 86 minutes, while Adam Johnson netted the other on 83 minutes as England upped their game in the second period to put daylight between the sides.

Defoe was due to undergo groin surgery this week but postponed his operation to play in England’s two qualifiers, and it paid dividends as he looked lively throughout and linked up well with the excellent Wayne Rooney.

Capello was relieved that Defoe was able to play and praised the way that he took his goals and worked tirelessly for the team.

“Defoe is always very important for us,” he said. “He can shoot with his left foot and his right and his performance was really, really good and his movement without the ball was fantastic.”

The veteran manager was also delighted with Rooney’s contribution after asking the Manchester United hit-man to play a slightly different role than he is accustomed to.

“I played Rooney in a position different than usual,” he added. “He did very well. I spoke with him before the game.

“He had to stay just in front of the two central midfielders and from this position to go forward and to be free. The quality of Rooney was really high.”

England will face a much stiffer test against Switzerland away from home on Tuesday but, with Defoe expected to shake off the knock he picked up towards the end of Friday’s match, Capello will be confident of coming home with all three points.

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