Capello shifts towards experience as quartet get Under-21 call-ups

Capello is due to announce his 23 players tonight and already it looks like being a more conservative group than the one defeated by France in November.

Of the youngsters selected on that occasion, four – Jordan Henderson, Chris Smalling, Micah Richards and Kieran Gibbs – will be required for Under-21 duty in Italy on Tuesday, as will Everton’s Jack Rodwell, who missed out last time through injury.

In addition, Adam Johnson and £35m striker Andy Carroll have been ruled out with ankle and thigh problems respectively.

It means Capello is likely to go for experience for a match arranged at short notice after a planned meeting with Argentina at the Parken Stadium fell through.

The presence of Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent, who also missed the France game through injury, compensates for the absence of Carroll.

It means Cardiff’s Jay Bothroyd will be sweating on his place and almost certainly ensures Kevin Davies will not be recalled.

Frank Lampard is available for the first time since August and will link up with Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, the one youngster expected to keep his place.

With Johnson missing, Aaron Lennon’s recent good form for Tottenham should be rewarded.

The problems for Capello are in defence, specifically at right-back.

Glen Johnson survived the World Cup debacle but after a series of poor performances for Liverpool, was switched to left-back by new boss Kenny Dalglish.

Johnson was not picked for the France game, when Capello opted to use Phil Jagielka as a makeshift right-back, Micah Richards taking over at half-time when he replaced Rio Ferdinand.

However, Jagielka only returned from a thigh strain at Arsenal on Wednesday, while Richards had already been selected for Under-21 duty before he was taken to hospital following a heavy collision with Manchester City team-mate Nigel de Jong in Wednesday’s draw with Birmingham.

If both players were ruled out, it could trigger a first call-up for Liverpool’s Martin Kelly.