With the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney ruled out before he named his 23-man party for the trip to Berlin and Joe Hart, probably Steven Gerrard and possibly John Terry pulling out before the Three Lions have begun a training session, Capello's efforts at maintaining the momentum built up by four straight World Cup qualifying wins have been cruelly undermined.

It may not count for much in March when the bid to reach South Africa 2010 resumes against Ukraine at Wembley.

But Capello would have liked the opportunity to add a couple of youngsters to the side that has performed so well in the past couple of months.

Instead, he may end up turning to the likes of Stewart Downing and Peter Crouch to help carry England through, with Gabriel Agbonlahor most likely of the rookies to play a major role against the Germans.

First task this morning will be to assess the fitness of Gerrard and Terry.

Gerrard has already been ruled out according to a statement on Liverpool`s website after suffering a minor groin injury at Bolton on Saturday.

But Capello still made him travel to the England base in Watford, where he will be assessed by Football Association medical staff before a final decision on Gerrard's availability is reached.

Manager Rafael Benitez is unlikely to be impressed with that move but under FIFA rules, Capello is perfectly entitled to have a look at the Reds captain, who would be an automatic choice to face the Germans if he was fit.

At least Terry does not have far to travel, although having stated on Saturday he was experiencing a lot of pain from the foot injury he suffered at West Brom, it was thought the Three Lions skipper would not be involved either.

However, the 28-year-old had a scan yesterday and the results made him feel it was worthwhile travelling to meet Capello, so at the very least, he must be rated less doubtful than Gerrard.

Terry's presence would be invaluable as without him, the captain's armband would presumably be handed to Frank Lampard or Gareth Barry who, with the exception of David James and Theo Walcott, are the only other members of what constitutes England's first-choice side to remain involved.

Even Capello's plans for experimentation are being hit following the loss of Hart, who had been expected to win his second cap, possibly as a substitute.

The Manchester City keeper was replaced after sustaining an ankle injury trying to keep out Daniel Cousin's opener in the 2-2 draw at Hull, a blow that could keep the 20-year-old out for a month.

However, Hart's loss is Paul Robinson's gain.

The former England number one, who lost his place to Scott Carson after a dire performance in the crucial Euro 2008 qualifying defeat against Russia was called into Capello's squad last night.

While both James and Carson would be viewed as more obvious candidates to play in Berlin, England's first visit to the city to play a unified German side since a controversial trip in 1938, Robinson's inclusion above the competing claims of Ben Foster and Robert Green should at least provide the Blackburn man with a confidence boost.