Capello Shock Call Up Of Chelsea Youngster Michael Mancienne

GERMANY V ENGLAND
Capello to hand two young stars England chance

Fabio Capello will take a careful look at the youngsters in his new-look England squad before deciding which lucky pair will play against Germany in Berlin on Wednesday.

Including Theo Walcott, Capello has picked five players eligible for under-21 duty in his 23-man squad, plus another couple who are only just making their mark in the Premier League.

Given withdrawals can be anticipated over the next 48 hours, notably captain John Terry who is due to have a scan on the foot he injured during Chelsea's win at West Brom this evening, Capello needs to choose wisely.

For, after four straight World Cup qualifying wins, he does not want to see confidence drain away by placing his trust in too many rookies.

"It is dangerous to put too many new players into a team that has trained a lot together,'' said Capello. "It is best when you put one or maximum two in. I just want to know them better, which I will do during the camp.

"I want to study what they do in training, then I will decide.''

While the inclusion of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Manchester City duo Joe Hart, who has subsequently withdrawn from the squad, and Micah Richards had been anticipated, even before Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney were declared unavailable by Sir Alex Ferguson, the selection of Michael Mancienne is a shock.

Mancienne is still to play for Chelsea and while his appearances for Wolves have caught the eye, it is a surprise Capello has chosen to pluck the 20-year-old from the Coca-Cola Championship to the senior international squad even if he has received rave reviews from England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce.

Even if Terry misses out, as he did against Kazakhstan and Belarus last month, it is doubtful Mancienne will play a significant role as Richards and Matthew Upson would be favourites to fill the central defensive berths, which Everton's Joleon Lescott is also capable of doing.

Agbonlahor has more chance of being selected, although there would be little point in picking 38-year-old Portsmouth keeper David James unless he was going to play.

James' continued presence proves Capello does not believe age is a barrier to selection. Instead, the omissions of David Beckham and Michael Owen are justified on form grounds.

In Beckham's case it is down to an MLS season that came to an end almost a month ago, since when he has had no competitive football, for Owen, it is due to a lack of match practice after a recent groin injury.

"It is not enough to play one or two games,'' said Capello. "You cannot find enough form to play an international match in that time.''

For all Capello's assertions, there are plenty who feel Owen is condemned to miss out unless the Italian has a major change of policy.

Beckham's experience at Real Madrid suggests such an about-turn is possible, although Capello tends to stick to his opinions, which in the veteran midfielder's case is clear enough.

"Beckham is not in the squad because he has not played for three weeks,'' said Capello.

That situation has already been addressed with Beckham due to join AC Milan on a loan deal in January that should allow him to join Bobby Moore as England's most capped outfield player when the Three Lions tackle Spain the following month.

However, Capello stressed he had played no part in the short-term transfer.

"I am a friend of (AC Milan vice-president) Adriano Galliani and he told me about what they were going to do,'' he said. "I like the player and I like the man. But they told me after they decided to sign him, not before.''

As they famously exchanged words after a fierce condemnation of the use of Steven Gerrard - who along with Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry is one of the likely captains if Terry misses out - Capello probably did not ask Harry Redknapp about Tottenham striker Darren Bent.

However, as Bent has scored five goals in his last seven matches it is a fair assumption he is benefiting from Redknapp's arrival at White Hart Lane.

So, with Heskey missing, he could get a shot at partnering Agbonlahor or Jermain Defoe.

"We have followed Bent over the last year and he has scored a lot of goals recently,'' said Capello. "We need a player for that role because we don't have Heskey.

"He is young, fast and has good movement without the ball. He runs into space, which is very important. It is important that Tottenham have won a lot of games because it helps Bent's confidence. That makes me happy.''


Scott Carson - West Brom
David James - Portsmouth
Wayne Bridge - Chelsea
Curtis Davies - Aston Villa
Glen Johnson - Portsmouth
John Terry - Chelsea
Joleon Lescott - Everton
Michael Mancienne - Chelsea
Micah Richards - Man City
Matthew Upson - West Ham
Gareth Barry - Aston Villa
Michael Carrick - Man Utd
Stewart Downing - Middlesbrough
Jimmy Bullard - Fulham
Scott Parker - West Ham
Shaun Wright-Phillips - Man City
Ashley Young - Aston Villa
Gabriel Agbonlahor - Aston Villa
Darren Bent - Tottenham
Peter Crouch - Portsmouth
Jermain Defoe - Portsmouth
Theo Walcott - Arsenal


Terry backs Mancienne call
Skipper delight at youngsters inclusion

England captain John Terry has backed Michael Mancienne's inclusion into the senior squad.

Chelsea starlet Mancienne is yet to play to play for The Blues and has only ever experienced senior football at Championship level.

He has spent most of the last two seasons on loan in the Championship mostly with Queens Park Rangers, but currently with top-of-the-table Wolves.

Now having starred for the England Under-21s in recent outings - Mancienne has been called up by Fabio Capello for next week's friendly in Germany.

And Terry is full behind the decision to include his club mate.

"Fair play to Michael. We have got a lot of players at Chelsea and he has been eager to go out and prove that he is good enough," said Terry.

"Myself and Lamps (Frank Lampard) spoke to Stuart Pearce and he said Michael has been his best player in the Under-21s.

"He will gain from the experience and his form has been fantastic for Wolves.

"They have had three or four wins since he has been there and he has got a bright future ahead of him.

"I don't want to put too much pressure on the lad but we all realise he is one for the future.

"He could come back and be in the Chelsea side, quite possibly. He has been eager to break into the squad. It is very unfortunate for all the young players at Chelsea that we have got such a big squad.

"In the Carling Cup, when the manager leaves out the likes of myself and Lamps, there are players who are not playing week in and week out who deserve to play.

"They get paid a lot of money to be part of our squad and it is difficult sometimes to throw the younger lads in but he will get his chance, I am sure."