England to get yet another captain ...

Fabio Capello has risked the wrath of England fans by declaring he plans to send out a team of reserves against Ghana at Wembley.

Remarkably, the friendly is a sell-out, but Capello has announced he could make 11 changes and has already sent home five senior players who played in the 2-0 win in Wales.

Among them are Wayne Rooney and restored captain John Terry, which means there will be a new skipper for the clash.

Fifth choice Gareth Barry — who was not even in the 18-man match-day squad in Cardiff — is next in line.


‘I may make 11 changes because I want to respect the clubs,’ said Capello. The other senior players missing are Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Dawson. Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand are already absent.

Fans have paid up to £40 to watch the game — the first time Ghana have played England. Amazingly, the World Cup quarter-finalists played an African Nations Cup tie in Congo yesterday, which they won 3-0, so expect lots of tired legs at Wembley.

They will be greeted by a makeshift lineup, including Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill, Leighton Baines and Joleon Lescott.

Capello released six players in total, the last being the injured Kyle Walker, who is on loan at Aston Villa from Tottenham. The other five sent back will be involved in the Champions League quarter-finals next week.

The three Spurs players who remain in the squad — Aaron Lennon, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe — will all be in contention against Real Madrid but were not involved in the European Championship qualifier on Saturday.

Scott Parker is a doubt after aggravating his shoulder injury and Capello is unlikely to risk the West Ham midfielder, especially as his relegation-threatened side play Manchester United at the weekend.

Clubs who still have much to play for, however, will be watching to see if their players arrive back safely.

The friendly will at least give Capello a chance tolook at striking alternatives to Rooney, who will miss thequalifier againstSwitzerland in June through suspension afterbeing booked in Wales.

Amazingly, Capello admitted he forgot to warn Rooney that he was one yellow card away from a suspension.

The England manager also did not tell Ashley Cole and Ashley Young, who were in the same position, but while they came through without a caution, Rooney was booked in the 37th minute after catching Joe Ledley with a reckless challenge just seconds after fouling Andrew Crofts.The England striker left referee Olegario Benquerenca with no choice but to book him.

Afterwards Capello said Rooney was ‘surprised’ to learn he would now have to serve a one-match ban and that does not reflect terribly well on the Manchester United forward either.

But Capello then admitted that there had been yet another breakdown in communication with his players. Asked directly if the trio had been warned, he said:

‘Usually we do this, but this time no.’

Capello eventually took off Rooney, replacing him with James Milner after 70 minutes because he feared he might get booked again.

Clearly, Rooney was a little frustrated by his form and by the fact that he was slightly isolated in his role on the left flank.

‘Rooney is too generous, every tackle he wants to win,’ said Capello. ‘I changed him because with a second yellow card he would have been sent off.’

The Welsh FA admitted last night it was almost impossible to crack down on the 'stupid' fans bringing lasers into the Millennium Stadium.

England keeper Joe Hart was targeted, as was midfielder Scott Parker and defender Ashley Cole.

An FAW spokesman said: ‘We have discussed it with the English FA but it’s very difficult because the laser pens are so small and difficult to detect.’

The culprits actions went little way to helping the Welsh who were soundly beaten in the Euro 2012 qualifier in Cardiff.

Sources: 1& 2

So another captain for England and more news of Capello´s inability to tell his players important bits of information ... can you see my shocked face?

And as for the laser pointers - anyone who does get caught doing it needs to be banned from football grounds for life, there is no excuse for such behaviour at all