VIDEO: Capello's conundrum
By Nicholas Veevers
Friday, 03 June, 2011
With a fully fit squad at his disposal, Manager admits he has a 'tough' decision.
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Fabio Capello has revealed that he has a fully fit squad to choose from on Saturday, as England look to end the season on a high against Switzerland at Wembley.
The Three Lions Manager has seen both Peter Crouch and Bobby Zamora miss training sessions during the week with slight knocks, but both forwards figured in Friday’s session at Wembley and will be available to the Italian.
However, Capello admits the hardest part now falls to him as he has to name 18 players for the match out of his squad of 24.
“There are no injuries and all of the players are fit, so I need to choose 18 players tomorrow,” said Capello.
“I have spoken to the players during training and it will be hard because all of the players have trained very well and it will be disappointing to send some of them to the stand.”
Capello revealed the mood has been good around the squad this week, with many of the players having enjoyed something of a mini-break after the end of the Premier League season before returning for England duty last Monday with a freshness and vigour about them.
“The players have returned happy,” he added. “I’ve even had to stop the training sometimes because they’ve been like children at times!
“After one week off, they’re happy to be playing football again and I think it’s been really good for them.”
The spirit he has seen amongst the camp this week has also further convinced Capello that, should his charges qualify for next summer’s European Championship Finals, he will allow the players a chance to enjoy a break before heading to Poland and Ukraine for the games.
“If we reach the Euros, I will let the players go on holiday for a week or ten days,” he explained.
“I learnt a lot after the World Cup and I think a holiday is good for them, not only to rest their body but also their mind. This is important.”
Meanwhile, Capello has hailed the improvement he has seen in Darren Bent as the Aston Villa striker prepares to lead the line on Saturday.
He added: "I know Darren very well, he is one of the best in the box. When he gets the ball he scores goals, I hope on Saturday he does the same."
Bent initially struggled during his time at Spurs but has found his form in spells at Sunderland and now with Aston Villa, where he plays alongside fellow England internationals Stewart Downing and Ashley Young. Capello also believes he has matured into a capable finisher.
"Young players sometimes need to wait. In my career as a manager, some players when they are 21 or 22 it's important what team they play for and how their private life is and it is impossible to know the future.
"Bent has improved a lot and scored a lot of goals."
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