FABIO CAPELLO STAYS STRONG

FABIO CAPELLO will refuse to experiment with his England side in tonight's World Cup qualifier against Group Six whipping boys Andorra.

The England coach is determined to make 100 per cent certain of qualification before tinkering with the team.

Capello said: "We have time to experiment once we are 100% sure of getting to South Africa. At this moment, the most important thing is to win."

That determination sends out a clear message to the squad, who know victory tonight will virtually guarantee their place in the 2010 Finals.

Capello is leaving nothing to chance so there will be no experimentation with the likes of Ashley Young, just straightforward decisions about a replacement for the suspended Gareth Barry and whether to risk Glen Johnson and Emile Heskey, who would miss September's engagement with Croatia if they were booked this evening.

Gary Neville, who would be winning his first cap in 27 months, and Peter Crouch are the obvious replacements for Johnson and Heskey, although Shaun Wright-Phillips and Carlton Cole could hope to get a call as well.

Wright-Phillips could come in contention as Barry's replacement too, although not as an orthodox holding midfielder.

However, it seems Capello is leaning towards only a second competitive start in two years for David Beckham. Capello gave away his thoughts when he included Beckham's name among a list of potential free-kick takers if, as expected, Andorra ruffle a few England feathers around their own penalty area.

Indeed, most of the encounter may be played in that area of the field, ensuring the visitors' box is as congested as the car-parks outside given the tube strike will force the 70,000 supporters to seek alternative transport.

Capello welcomed David James to dinner with the squad this week, even thought the England keeper is out of tonight's game after undergoing a shoulder operation.

Pressure

Capello said: "I didn't expect David James to ring and ask if he could see us, but it shows the spirit of the squad at the moment. It is really important we create a group."

Andorra are ranked 196th in the world and after six straight wins in the group it would be one of the biggest shocks in football history if England were not to win.

But Capello's England did not score until the second half in their first clash with Andorra last year and the Italian said: "Football is not like other sports. When you defend all the time, sometimes you can draw. That is what happened in the first half in Andorra and we had to wait another 20 minutes in the second to score the first goal.

"I hope we score quickly. After one goal, you can play without pressure."

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