After seeing the encouraging progress made since the World Cup come to a grinding halt against Montenegro last night, England now await the onset of winter knowing their next competitive fixture is not until March 26, when they head to Cardiff for what is sure to be a tricky encounter with Wales despite their opponents' present problems.

Almost certainly, direct qualification will hinge on the return meeting with this obdurate Montenegro side in Podgorica on October 7 next year, when Capello hopes home advantage will force them to be somewhat more adventurous than they tried to be at Wembley.

In the meantime, the Italian has some work to do.

The modicum of good faith built up since South Africa was cut down by the boos as his team left the field following the loss of their 11-match winning streak on home soil.

A team full of absentees, due to injury, retirement and suspension, was a partial excuse for the failure to find a way through Montenegro's blanket defence.

But Capello realises he cannot leave himself exposed again, which is why he intends to have a look at a couple of the players who have helped steer England towards their third successive European Under-21 Championship finals when the Three Lions reconvene to face the team who suffered even more this summer than they did.

"Yes, absolutely, one or two of these players will play against France," revealed Capello.

"But I am not going to tell you the names because it is important for the manager of the club to be told first."

It won't stop the guessing game though.

Of the more obvious candidates, Jack Rodwell is injured and presumably Arsene Wenger would not need to be informed about Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs on the basis the Arsenal pair already have their first senior caps.

As England appear weakest in defence, Micah Richards, overlooked completely by Capello but in his expanded provisional squad for last month's matches with Bulgaria and Switzerland, is an obvious candidate.

Blackburn's Phil Jones has made a huge impression at Ewood Park, while Chris Smalling has settled into life at Manchester United reasonably well.

Jordan Henderson has been earning rave reviews at Sunderland while further forward, Daniel Sturridge is getting more first-team exposure at Chelsea.

And what of Newcastle's Andy Carroll?

"He has to play. The last game, he didn't," raises question marks about him.

In addition, Capello reinforced the point that he is not going to ignore the experienced players at his disposal, knowing what useful information they can impart to the enthusiastic rookies aiming to follow in their footsteps.

"We are lucky to have players of vast experience who can help bring forward this next generation," said Capello.

"For many players who are making their first steps in international football, we must handle them carefully and give them every assistance to develop fully.

"Against France, we will be able to use more substitutions, which means it is an important time for the young players."

What Capello must try and do is get his current charges to use more guile when faced with the limited game plan they encountered last night.

Montenegro are a decent team, whose status as fifth seeds in Group G is completely misleading and due only to the fact they started playing competitive matches during the most recent World Cup qualifiers.

However, their approach is largely a restrictive one, based around the concept of denying opponents space and filling the final third with bodies.

It is carried out diligently, but is hardly revolutionary and the stuff players from England's biggest clubs have to face on a weekly basis.

The problem was, lacking the pace of a striker like Jermain Defoe or Darren Bent and reliant on Adam Johnson and Ashley Young performing beyond their experience out wide, which they did not do, Capello's team were unable to shake Montenegro out of their comfort zone and deny them a result that will keep them at the head of affairs until June at the earliest.

"Sometimes you score a goal quickly and everything changes," said Capello.

"This time we didn't score. We tried everything but they defended very well."

Although Bulgaria and Switzerland are still to be faced, that trip to Podgorica could be all-important.

And despite evidence to the contrary, Capello can see reasons for optimism.

"We have to win every game with England but sometimes it is impossible because the opponents exist as well," he shrugged.

"But sometimes it is easier to play away because there is more space."