Familiar injury problems for Capello’s new England

A new dawn begins for England's national team on Friday and the disappointments of the summer can be put to one side as they embark on their qualifying campaign for the 2012 European Championships. Unfortunately for Fabio Capello, his preparations for Friday evening's Group G match with Bulgaria have been hampered by injury problems that are disturbingly familiar.

He has more problems in central defence as Phil Jagielka, who was drafted in after both John Terry and Rio Ferdinand were ruled out with injury, looks likely to miss out as well after suffering a badly swollen ankle in Everton's 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday. He missed the squad's training session on Wednesday but has remained with the team, suggesting he could be fit for Tuesday's tie with Switzerland in Basle.

Capello now faces naming two centre-halves that have never played together before in Matthew Upson and Michael Dawson. The England boss had similar problems at the World Cup and used four different players in central defence after injuries to Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King.

Upson at least comes into the fixture on the back of some good form, he was one of the few West Ham players to give a good account of himself in their 3-0 thrashing by Manchester United - although he hardly covered himself in glory in South Africa. More worryingly, Dawson started Tottenham's 1-0 defeat to Wigan and demonstrated he is still some way from his best form.

Capello has also lost the services of Spurs striker Peter crouch, who has a back problem and has been ruled out of both matches. However, the FA have decided not to call up any cover.

Despite missing key players, morale in the England camp is high according to likely starting keeper Joe Hart.

"Coming back from our clubs, it is a lot fresher [than at the World Cup] and there is a lot more to talk about. It's a whole lot different," he said.  

England have also been buoyed by news that their captain Rio Ferdinand finally looks set to recover from the injury he sustained in training in South Africa. He managed 45 minutes in a Manchester United reserves game against Oldham on Wednesday.

According to reports, Capello has not yet made up his mind as to which formation he will use. There is still a chance he will keep faith with the 4-4-2 formation that drew such criticism in South Africa, although it is more likely that he will go with the modified 4-2-3-1 line-up that he used for much of last month's friendly with Hungary.

Should he decide to go with the 4-2-3-1, Wayne Rooney would most likely be the lone man up front, with Theo Walcott, Steven Gerrard and Adam Johnson lining up just behind him. As Frank Lampard is also injured, James Milner will probably partner Gareth Barry in front of the defence. ·