Capello ready for French test

Fabio Capello believes playing France tonight in Paris will be a hugely important test for his England side as he assesses how to take the Three Lions forward in future.

The new England Manager has always said his prime target is to prepare his team for crucial World Cup qualifiers later in the year and to use the friendly games at his disposal to find out as much about his players as possible.

Already, after just one game, he has learned a lot and playing a side as experienced and successful as today's opponents France is certain to be another steep learning curve.

"I believe I have a good group to work with and this will be a very important test against a top level team," he said. "It's a very important match and something I'll be able to draw my first conclusions from.

"I want us playing with confidence, playing with personality and not to be afraid of taking risks. It's playing like you do for your own club.

"But we must take one step at a time, understand things and each other, and set out to achieve important things. It's not about setting specific levels. It's about gaining the conviction that we can reach great targets."

Part of that process is about finding the right man to captain England in the long-term and Rio Ferdinand has been handed the job in Paris.

"I said I would rotates the captains," said the manager. "I will have a permanent captain from August, on August 20.

"For me a captain must be an example to follow in training and a leader during the game. And, of course, I would hope he could be an example, a role model outside the game – in life – as well. That's very important, always.

"Not just for the England captain, but for everything that we, as sportsmen, show youngsters. That is very important.

"From what I've seen in the games I've been watching Rio Ferdinand play, in the five days I've had him train with me, I've seen a very good professional in him. I believe he can be a very good England captain."

Capello has a chance to turn to some of England's 'old guard' tonight, players such as Frank Lampard, John Terry and David Beckham who weren't fully fit for his first game against Switzerland.

It's a chance for players who have been heroes in the past for their country to show what they can do and it's clear there will also be opportunities for younger players over the course of time, too.

"We have been following young players very attentively," said Capello. "We have, as part of our group, young players and experienced players. We will continue to follow younger players, but I believe they need to be brought into a working group – a group that is working.

"In my experience as a club manager, you need to bring new players into a group that's working, not rushing things. You need to give time and not judge players the first time you see them."

Ferdinand admitted on the eve of the game that with so many decisions yet to be made and so many opportunities still up for grabs it almost feels like being on trial in the England squad right now - with every player desperate to be part of what could be a very exciting future.

"We're all on trial, not just the players," insisted the England Manager. "We need to get back to being a great team that plays openly against any opponent. It's not about being on trial, but about the pride of wearing the shirt."