No injury worries for Fabio Capello

11 April 2012

Fabio Capello expects to have his entire squad training tomorrow as England begin the build-up to a World Cup qualifier against Croatia that could confirm their place at South Africa 2010.

Having named a 24-man squad on Sunday night for a double-header that starts with a friendly against Slovenia at Wembley on Saturday, Capello was in the happy position of discovering his entire party were in good health when they reported to their Watford base last night.

While the vast majority of Capello's side to face the Croat s on September 9 could be picked already, there are at least four areas for discussion.

Robert Green has edged ahead in the goalkeeping stakes given David James is sidelined by a knee injury, but Ben Foster could possibly have played in England's last three games but for injury himself, so the West Ham man cannot feel too secure.

Similarly, while Glen Johnson established himself as first-choice right-back last term, he only got the chance because Wes Brown was sidelined.

Now the Manchester United man is back, Johnson cannot feel as secure as he has been.

Matthew Upson will be favoured to partner skipper John Terry in central defence on the basis he has been the regular stand-in for Rio Ferdinand in the past.

However, Joleon Lescott did the job against Andorra in June and is buoyed by the knowledge Mark Hughes felt it was worth investing £22million in his services to make him Manchester City's last acquisition of an amazing summer at Eastlands.

The final position is perhaps the most keenly fought.

When Theo Walcott was ruled out of last month's friendly draw with Holland in Amsterdam, David Beckham was handed the right-sided midfield role.

When Beckham failed to shine, Shaun Wright-Phillips was introduced to good effect.

Wright-Phillips has continued in the same form in City's 100% start to the season.

Aaron Lennon has been similarly effective for Tottenham though and training ground performances may well determine who gets the nod.

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