England begin Capello era with friendly against Switzerland

Having missed out on a place in the Euro 2008 finals, England replaced Steve McClaren last month with Capello, who won league titles with AC Milan, Juventus, Roma and Real Madrid.

 Capello has seven months to work with the team before their first competitive match, a World Cup qualifier in Andorra, and he will, of course, be looking for victory in his first game.

 The omission of former captain David Beckham from the squad - leaving him still on 99 caps - dominated much of the build-up to the announcement of the squad.

 But while Capello has assured Beckham that he could still be part of his plans if he gets himself match-fit once the Major League season begins in the United States, the Italian has already shown that he is not afraid to make big decisions.

 He has another one to make on Wednesday when he decides who to play up front against the Swiss, with many people questioning whether Michael Owen deserves a place in the side.

 Owen broke a goal drought for Newcastle United on Sunday and his club manager Kevin Keegan is shocked there is even doubt about his place in the side.

 "Have you seen his goal record for England? 88 games, 40 goals. It's incredible," Keegan said.

 "He is fit, he is very fit now. Because he has not scored in the games for which I have been here, big names make big stories.

 "Michael has worked really hard in all the games since I have been here, and I don't think people have given him the credit for that.

 "I have said publicly I don't think we have supplied him with enough chances, and that's the truth. I wouldn't worry about Michael Owen. He will get goals, he always has and he always will, if you give him some chances."

   Owen is likely to partner Manchester United's Wayne Rooney in attack, while Steven Gerrard is set to be named captain, in the absence of the injured John Terry.

 Injuries ruined the chances of the likes of Gabriel Agbonlahor, Emile Heskey and Ledley King getting a starting place, but it looks like Capello will pick David James in goal.

 The 37-year-old Portsmouth goalkeeper made his England debut in 1997 but has not started a game for his country since June 2006, with Paul Robinson preferred by McClaren.

 Capello left Robinson out of his first squad, though, and it seems that James's excellent form for Portsmouth will ensure he starts against Switzerland.

 Gerrard is set to be partnered by Gareth Barry in the centre of midfield, while Chelsea's Joe Cole, Blackburn's David Bentley and Ashley Young, of Aston Villa, battle it out for places on the flanks.

 Centre-back Rio Ferdinand and left-back Ashley Cole are almost certain to start, leaving the likes of Jonathan Woodgate, Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott, Wes Brown and Matthew Upson to fight for the other two spots.

 Victory for England at Wembley on Wednesday would give Capello a nice start to his reign, but the Italian already has his eyes on the bigger picture.

 "We have seven months to prepare for our first competitive match, but the work really starts now," he said.