In the immediate aftermath of the World Cup hammering by Germany in Bloemfontein, it seemed Capello was destined to be turfed out of his job.

Instead, after a short period of reflection, the Football Association took the view that the Italian's £6million-a-year contract would be better spent on him revamping the Three Lions rather than purely as a severance payment.

It is therefore with interest that Capello's squad announcement is awaited tomorrow evening, with a number of new faces expected.

A hint seemed to come with the exclusion of Jack Wilshere from Stuart Pearce's Under-21 squad.

If Wilshere does make it, it would be a remarkable elevation for an 18-year-old, and testament to the positive impression he made during a loan spell with Bolton in the second-half of last season.

Arsenal should also supply 20-year-old Kieran Gibbs to Capello's squad given the full-back was touted as a contender for a World Cup place until he suffered a broken foot in November that ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

After coming in for criticism over his failure to develop English youngsters, Arsene Wenger could be in the position of supplying three in one go to the national team as Theo Walcott is also expected to return.

Walcott admitted he was left in tears by his shock omission from the World Cup squad but given the lack of impact made by Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips in South Africa, the winger should at least make the squad.

Looking back, Capello's omission of Adam Johnson from his World Cup party was a mistake and the versatile Manchester City midfielder should also be included.

It is difficult to see what other youngsters might gain selection given both Jack Rodwell and Danny Welbeck have been chosen for Under-21 duty under Stuart Pearce against Uzbekistan in Bristol on Tuesday.

There were a few guffaws when Capello mentioned Bobby Zamora as one such player in the immediate aftermath of that Germany defeat.

At 29, Zamora is hardly in the first flush of youth but, having recovered from the Achilles injury that forced him to decline the opportunity of selection in Capello's 30-man provisional squad this summer, should now be in line to win his first cap, especially now Emile Heskey has retired.

Heskey is one of four members of Capello's World Cup squad who will definitely be discarded.

The gamble of selecting Jamie Carragher and Ledley King despite not playing any part in qualifying did not work and neither will be considered.

Instead, Everton's Phil Jagielka, who might well have been in South Africa anyway but for the serious knee injury that kept him out for 10 months, could fill a spot along with Michael Dawson of Tottenham.

The other area where England are down on manpower is goalkeeper.

James' move to the Championship and Bristol City effectively ended his international career and there must be serious question marks over Robert Green ever being asked to play for his country again.

It means that a battle is now expected between Joe Hart and Ben Foster, who was preferred to the Manchester City keeper for matches against Belarus and Brazil last term, to become Capello's first-choice.