England v Montenegro: Predicting Fabio Capello’s Starting XI

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A bright start to qualifying has not quite meant that England’s disastrous World Cup has been forgotten but wins over Bulgaria and Switzerland last month certainly helped the healing process.

Those two nations were expected to be England’s main challengers in the five-team group but the Three Lions currently find themselves locked on a maximum of six points with Montenegro.

Two 1-0 wins over Wales and, more impressively, away in Bulgaria see Montenegro trail England only on goal difference and they head to Wembley in high spirits having also achieved a highest ever ranking of 40 in FIFA’s latest rankings.

Not bad for a nation who only started playing independently three years ago.

For Tuesday’s match Fabio Capello is missing only a few key names, most notably in the shape of Frank Lampard with Jermain Defoe, Theo Walcott and Bobby Zamora also missing whilst James Milner is suspended.

Lampard did not feature in either of September’s qualifiers but Defoe, Walcott and Milner each played their part in the two wins and will need to be replaced.

Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Joe Cole and Jack Wilshere are amongst the names returning to the squad and Bolton’s Kevin Davies has also been handed a first ever international call-up at the age of 33.

The following previews who Capello may turn to in order to maintain England’s position at the head of the group before Euro 2012 qualifying resumes next March.

Joe Hart

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Age: 23

Caps/Goals: 6/0

Hart's performances continue to suggest that England's new 'keeper will take some shifting from his position with some already pencilling Hart in as a permanent fixture in goal for the Three Lions for at least the next ten years.

A minor wobble for ten minutes against Switzerland apart, Hart has been the epitome of cool in goal so far for England but he will be up against a quality striker in the shape of Mirko Vucinic on Tuesday night.

The Roma striker has ten goals in 19 games for Montenegro which means that Hart will have to continue to reproduce his impressive club form on the international stage.

Glen Johnson

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Age: 26

Caps/Goals: 29/1

Like most of the current Liverpool side, Johnson is under pressure after disappointing performances and results so far this season.

He didn't help his personal cause last Sunday when he gave away the penalty with an ill-judged challenge which lead to Blackpool's first goal.

However, Johnson is the only specialist right-back named in Capello's squad and has been since the World Cup so his position is apparently under little pressure.

Phil Jagielka is the most likely alternative to Johnson but the Liverpool man should keep his place after he performed well in Basle, showing great penetration down the right to set up Wayne Rooney for the opening goal.

Rio Ferdinand

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Age: 31

Caps/Goals: 78/3

Ferdinand's recent appearance record for England is increasingly poor,  but he should go some way towards turning that around by reclaiming his starting berth on Tuesday night.

Two clean sheets in back-to-back performances for Manchester United against Valencia and Sunderland should have helped his cause no end, especially given United's poor defensive record away from Old Trafford before his return.

Whether he will retain the captaincy as well is another issue altogether as Capello could easily opt to leave the armband with Gerrard who performed well both on and off the pitch last month.

John Terry

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Age: 29

Caps/Goals: 65/6

Terry, like his central defensive partner Ferdinand, should come straight back into the heart of the Three Lions' defence.

However, unlike Ferdinand, Terry has missed only a handful of matches for both club and country over the past year or so.

The debate remains as to whether the big names from the World Cup failure should return immediately to the starting XI but, poor performances in South Africa or not, Capello believes Terry to be one of England's best two central defenders so he will return to the team.

Phil Jagielka performed well in both matches last month, but looks set to be restricted to a substitute's role at best come Tuesday.

Ashley Cole

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Age: 29

Caps/Goals: 85/0

Tuesday night's game will see Cole move up one place to ninth on England's all-time appearance list and go level with Kenny Sansom as the Three Lion's most capped full-back.

Cole continues to go from strength to strength and will surely not only go to hold that particular record alone but also, fitness permitting, become only the sixth man to reach 100 caps within the next couple of years.

The Chelsea left-back is beginning to enjoy more and more license to attack from Capello and almost netted his first England goal against Bulgaria with Jermain Defoe eventually turning in the rebound.

Adam Johnson

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Age: 23

Caps/Goals: 4/2

Two goals in two substitute appearances for England in the two qualifiers last month should see Adam Johnson claim a starting berth against Montenegro on Tuesday.

Roberto Mancini still doesn't seem to have 100 per cent trust in the young winger, but his latest substitute and match-winnning appearance against Newcastle last Sunday should go some way towards convincing the Italian of his merits.

Theo Walcott's injury has opened up the position on the right-hand side of midfield and Johnson looks set to pounce on the opportunity and show just how dangerous he can be cutting inside onto his left foot.

Gareth Barry

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Age: 29

Caps/Goals: 42/2

The fact that Barry is now considered almost undroppable in the England midfield is testament to the man's performances over the last couple of years and his partnership with Steven Gerrard in the middle of the park last month showed encouraging signs.

Barry has been in consistent form as always for Manchester City and recently produced a near faultless display of tackling and passing in his team's crucial win over table-toppers Chelsea.

Whilst not a bona fide defensive midfielder, Barry's responsible play should allow Gerrard to influence the game higher up the pitch on Tuesday night.

Steven Gerrard

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Age: 30

Caps/Goals: 87/19

Gerrard, like Ashley Cole, is also homing in on a century of caps, currently sitting eighth on England's all-time appearance list. 

Aalthough his World Cup performances were perhaps poor by his high standards, he has already shown in England's three games this season that he is still irreplaceable at this level.

Whether he retains the captaincy or hands the armband over to the returning Ferdinand remains to be seen, but Gerrard will continue to influence the game from his preferred position in the middle of the park in Frank Lampard's continued absence

Ashley Young

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Age: 25

Caps/Goals: 9/0

The Aston Villa star has enjoyed a bright start to the season operating in more of a free role behind the striker for his club this season but may find himself back in his old left-wing position come Tuesday night.

Young has only had a handful of substitute appearances to impress under Capello so far but could be in pole position to replace former club teammate James Milner on the left-hand side of midfield with the Manchester City man suspended.

Capello could turn to Aaron Lennon (also pictured) but Young would give the Italian more options with his ability to swap flanks with Adam Johnson.

Wayne Rooney

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Age: 24

Caps/Goals: 67/26

Rooney has missed Manchester United's last two games through injury, but Sir Alex Ferguson seemed to have no qualms in suggesting that last year's PFA Player of the Year would be fit enough for the Three Lions come Tuesday night.

The forward has only found the net twice so far this season with the only one from open play coming whilst on England duty in Basle last month.

However, Rooney will continue to find himself under pressure as Fabio Capello and the England fans expect him to lead the line and reproduce the fine form he showed during the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Darren Bent

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Age: 26

Caps/Goals: 7/1

Despite missing out on two World Cup squads Darren Bent refuses to drift out of contention at international level, and a late goal against Switzerland last month should do him the world of good here.

Jermain Defoe netted a hat-trick against Bulgaria, but is injured this time out and Bent seems to be the most suitable replacement.

It is hard to begrudge the man a chance to prove himself for the Three Lions, as he expertly showed when netting a brace in Sunderland's recent draw at Anfield as his rich goal-scoring form at club level shows no signs of slowing.