Fabio Capello’s first England squad, for the friendly against Switzerland on February 6^th, has been the topic of much debate ever since his appointment as manager, with many questions being asked: Would he go for youth over experience? Would all the members of the so-called ‘Golden Generation’ still be around? Would David Beckham be given his 100^th cap? Who would be the next victim of the English No.1 Jersey? Could he trace down at least a few members of the elusive species that is the Prolific English Striker? Answers at the bottom of the page…

Goalkeepers: S Carson (Aston Villa), D James (Portsmouth), C Kirkland (Wigan)

David James has been around for donkeys’ years, and in spite of his reputation for the occasional cock-up, is currently in the form of his life. Scott Carson has been terrific for Aston Villa, and Chris Kirkland is the only chance Wigan have of staying up. Paul Robinson isn’t even getting a game for his club, and is perhaps the first name on the list of high-profile casualties from squads under previous regimes. Expect Carson to start, with James as second choice.

Defenders: W Bridge (Chelsea), W Brown (Manchester United), A Cole (Chelsea), C Davies (Aston Villa), R Ferdinand (Manchester United) G Johnson (Portsmouth), L King (Tottenham), J Lescott (Everton), M Richards (Manchester City), N Shorey (Reading), M Upson (West Ham), J Woodgate (Tottenham)

Capello has selected 12 defenders in his first provisional squad, of whom at least 2 are sure to be pruned at the weekend when the final squad of 23 is named. The most remarkable inclusion is Curtis Davies, currently on loan at Villa from West Bromwich Albion. Only 22 years of age, the defender got off to a rocky start this season, but has since been a rock for Villa, to the extent of dispatching Olof Mellberg to right-back. Rio Ferdinand is sure to start, most likely beside Ledley King in the heart of the defense. Ashley Cole is far from a shoo-in at left back, but possesses more quality than Wayne Brisge, and should expect to start, with Micah Richards on the opposite flank. Richards may argue that centre-half is his best position, but England have no dearth in that department. Besides, his versatility ensures that he will provide a physical presence, merged with pace and bags of skill, at right-back.

Midfielders: G Barry (Aston Villa), D Bentley (Blackburn), M Carrick (Manchester United), J Cole (Chelsea), S Downing (Middlesbrough), S Gerrard (Liverpool), O Hargreaves (Manchester United), J Jenas (Tottenham), S Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), A Young (Aston Villa)

Capello has made the brave decision to exclude David Beckham from his first squad, with the legendary midfielder on the verge of his 100^th Cap. In doing so, he echoes his predecessor Steve McClaren (and we all know how that turned out), but this is sure to be the right move. Beckham has had no competitive football of late, and strong cases can be made for the likes of David Bentley and Shaun Wright-Phillips on the right-wing. One suspects that a match-fit Beckham would figure somewhere in the manager’s plans, but this remains to be seen. Barry and Gerrard are expected to start in midfield, although Jermaine Jenas has been wonderful this season and surely deserves a look-in at some stage. While it would be wonderful to see Ashley Young start on the left-wing, Joe Cole is far the more likely to be on the pitch at kick-off next Wednesday against Switzerland.

Forwards: G Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), P Crouch (Liverpool), E Heskey (Wigan), M Owen (Newcastle), W Rooney (Manchester United)

Gabriel Agbonlahor will no doubt be elated to have earned his first call-up to the senior squad. A regular at U-21 level, the 21 year old has been an attacking force in a Villa side currently sitting in 5^th place in the league. Peter Crouch can’t seem to get a game for Liverpool, but scored in front of Capello at Luton Town, which must have gone down well. Crouch’s regular omission from the Liverpool squad is a mystery to many football fans, and the striker has a fantastic goals rate in the England shirt. Veterans Michael Owen and Emile Heskey have been retained, as has the mercurial Wayne Rooney, who sets up as many goals as he scores.

Answers: Yes. Quite a few, but signs are promising. Not yet. A 23-year old loanee from Liverpool. Given the resources, he’s done pretty well – Yes.

Disclaimer: Any attempts to predict the starting line-up in the above article have been made with the assumption that Fabio Capello will play a 4-4-2 formation.

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