Capello will axe England flops - Even Terry may not survive
-
WORLD CUP 2010: Fabio Capello will axe England flops - Even John Terry may not survive cull
Time for change: It could be the end of the road for many of the England players who limped to a 4-1 defeat against Germany in the last 16 of the World Cup
Fabio Capello is ready to axe members of his failed World Cup squad after sources close to the England manager accused players of ignoring instructions and lacking courage during the ill-fated campaign in South Africa.
Even former captain John Terry's position in the squad is under scrutiny, while goalkeeper Robert Green, whose blunder against the United States denied England a victory in their opening game, is also vulnerable, along with defender Matthew Upson and midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips.
One source close to Capello said: 'Fabio considers it totally inexcusable that players who showed enough courage in the qualifiers didn't show the same courage when it mattered in South Africa. He finds it unbearable when players lack character on the pitch. That is what he believes happened at the World Cup and he felt let down. He will make sure it never happens again. That is why there will be a lot of changes - perhaps more than people think.'
David James, Emile Heskey and Ledley King are unlikely to play for England again because of age or injuries.
But Capello has to name a new squad in five weeks' time for England's friendly against Hungary at Wembley, and the manager says the World Cup represented the end of an era for certain members of his squad.
Stay of execution: Capello has survived as England boss with the support of Ferdinand, the side's skipper who was forced out of the World Cup through injury
'For some this will be the end,' said Capello. 'The chairman of Club England, Dave Richards, has asked me what I thought about the next tournament and the young players we might have to bring through, like Adam Johnson and Joe Hart.'
Capello is also likely to include youngsters Jack Rodwell, of Everton, and Arsenal pair Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs, along with Fulham's 29-year-old striker, Bobby Zamora, either against Hungary in August or the following month for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.
Next in line: Fulham striker Zamora is set for a call up to the next squad
With Rio Ferdinand now not expected to return to action until November, Capello will also have to decide whether Steven Gerrard continues as his captain. Ferdinand missed the World Cup with a knee injury and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed last night: 'Rio will be out of action for at least four months.'
Terry is the most high-profile England player under scrutiny after his poor performance against Germany, described by a source close to Capello as one of the worst defensive displays ever.
Walcott: The future?
Johnson: Can add spark
Wilshere: Young Gunner