Capello set to ignore advances from Inter

Capello does have a few issues to solve yet. The issue of his

23-man squad for a start, and the remaining uncertainty over his contract situation.

But tomorrow evening he will board a plane bound for South Africa knowing when he returns, his career will have had its defining moment.

"I cannot wait for the World Cup to start," he said. "I am focused on everything that I have to do and prepare so I hope the result will be good.

"But the whole thing is very exciting. I know that a whole nation stands behind the team and me. A whole country, with all its fans.

"The pressure is higher in England because the last title was achieved a long time ago.

"But the supporters have confidence in the team because I have it too."

Capello could not have made it any clearer after Sunday's 2-1 win over Japan in Graz that he sees his immediate future with England.

The break clause in his four-year contract that would have allowed either party to terminate it after the World Cup was due for removal until former chairman Lord Triesman was evicted from office.

Capello talked to Club England chairman Sir David Richards on the telephone yesterday and a source close to the discussions, who did not wish to be named, said they were "very positive" with both parties now hoping to bring a close to the matter by the time the team departs for South Africa tomorrow.

It is understood that improving the terms of the contract is not on the agenda and discussions will only deal with removing the release clause inserted in Capello's contract when he was appointed England manager.

The fact that Richards and Capello spoke on the telephone rather than face-to-face has also been taken as a positive indication.

And, provided the Italian receives assurances similar to those given by Triesman, it seems Capello will ignore overtures from Inter Milan and commit himself to a further two years.

For the 63-year-old, that is the easy part. Somewhat more tricky are the phone calls he must make this morning informing the recipients they are among the seven players to be culled.

A couple of checks will be made first on the fitness of Gareth Barry and Steven Gerrard. But providing there is no unexpected bad news on the medical front, Capello already knows the numbers he will be dialling.

Scott Parker, Stephen Warnock and Michael Dawson will surely be out, so too Tom Huddlestone and Darren Bent.

To an outsider, the main problem is whether Capello utilises the guile of Joe Cole at the expense of the pace provided by either Adam Johnson or Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Capello's previous statements on the three players indicate a belief this World Cup has come too early for Johnson, who has made rapid progress after starting the season in the Championship with Middlesbrough but may have to wait for the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Wright-Phillips did well against Japan on Sunday, but not as well as Cole, so unless Capello springs a major surprise by omitting Matthew Upson, Ledley King or Michael Carrick, there will be no room for the Manchester City man.

Capello has already declared the decisions he has to make to be the hardest part of his job, and he will couch the bad news in the softer wrapping of telling the seven they were only in this position because they are among England's finest talents.

Then, as is his way, Capello will move on, and probably not give the matter a second thought.

His more immediate priority will be to continue the improvement he has seen from the poor first-half performance against Mexico last week, although admittedly it was not that obvious in the opening period on Sunday as England found themselves trailing to Japan, ranked 45 in the world and fifth worst among the 32 in South Africa.

Capello said: "We are not so fresh at this moment but we have time to recover and we are improving. I am really confident, certainly more than after the Mexico game."

SEVEN MEN LIKELY TO BE TOLD THE SUMMER HOLIDAY STARTS TODAY

Michael Dawson

Uncapped when he was picked in the provisional squad and still that way now. Loses out to Jamie Carragher and Ledley King.

Stephen Warnock

A six-minute England career will not be extended in South Africa, Leighton Baines winning out.

Scott Parker

Unlucky not to be given a chance to impress after an excellent season at West Ham but maybe should have seen what was coming given the amount of times Capello has overlooked him.

Tom Huddlestone

Handed his opportunity in Sunday's encounter with Japan and lasted just 45 minutes. Capello's revelation that his mind has not been changed indicates Michael Carrick is safe.

Darren Bent

Given a chance against Japan to prove a worthy fifth striker and did not take the one opportunity that came his way in his 45-minute appearance. Would be a major shock if he made it.

Adam Johnson

Impressed in six minutes against Mexico and a natural left-footer who would bring balance to Capello's England team. But his rise has been swift and in admitting he found it hard to catch his breath during his debut might have fuelled more doubt in the England coach's mind.

Shaun Wright-Phillips

Quite possibly Capello's most difficult decision because there have been times when Wright-Phillips has impressed and he did better on the left wing on Sunday than Aaron Lennon. But England have other options in that area and it always seemed unlikely Capello would name three predominantly right-sided speedsters.