Fabio Capello expects England to start their countdown to the World Cup by vindicating his decision to leave Michael Owen out of the squad for Wednesday's (Beijing time Thursday) friendly against Holland.

With the start of the Premier League campaign coming just three days after England's trip to Amsterdam, it would be understandable if Capello's players weren't fully focused on their international commitments.

But the England coach has just 10 months to prepare for next year's World Cup in South Africa and every minute with his squad is vital.

After winning all seven of their World Cup qualifiers, England can clinch their place at the finals with a victory over Croatia at Wembley on Sept 9, so the Holland match is anything but a meaningless friendly to Capello.

The Italian will use the clash at Ajax's Amsterdam Arena to test his belief that Emile Heskey is the perfect partner for Wayne Rooney, while continuing the development of Steven Gerrard's role on the left wing.

Capello will also run the rule over his reserve goalkeepers in the absence of injured first choice David James.

Frank Lampard, a key member of Capello's midfield, has no doubt that the fixture can play a significant part in England's preparations for the final stages of their qualifying campaign and also the World Cup itself.

"It's important for us and our manager to see where the players are," Lampard said. "You never know who's fit, so it's nice to have a gathering with the big games coming next month.

"It would be great to have a good performance and to win as well but the performance is what you want to take into the qualifiers."

Capello has been able to use England's friendly matches to decide that the best way to allow Manchester United forward Rooney to thrive is to pair him with a more imposing targetman such as Aston Villa's Heskey.

Rooney's form over the past year suggests Capello is right and the Italian shows no signs of changing his mind about casting Owen into international exile.

Owen's poor finishing in United's recent friendly against Valencia did little to change Capello's feeling that the former Liverpool player's star is waning.

Yet Jermain Defoe and Carlton Cole, the forwards picked ahead of Owen, have done little in an England shirt to suggest they could change the course of a World Cup match.

And even Rooney admits his new Manchester United teammate would be a useful player to have around.

"I do see Michael getting back into the England side," Rooney said. "Obviously it is the manager's decision but he has looked really sharp in pre-season and I am sure if he maintains that form, it won't be long before he is back in the squad."

Capello expects Rooney to benefit if Gerrard continues to progress in his roving role, which allows the Liverpool midfielder to drift in front on the left wing and combine with his fellow Scouser.

The other position that will occupy Capello's mind is between the posts.

Portsmouth keeper James's injury was expected to open up an opportunity for Ben Foster to push his claims to be Capello's No 1.

But Manchester United star Foster pulled out of the squad on Monday with a minor injury sustained during his nervous display in Sunday's Community Shield match against Chelsea.

Joe Hart, currently on a season-long loan from Manchester City to Birmingham, has been called up as a replacement, but Capello is likely to take a closer look at Paul Robinson and Robert Green.

(AFP via China Daily August 12, 2009)