From Times Online
October 9, 2009

Fabio Capello will pick his strongest side against Ukraine, says Oliver Kay

Times Football Correspondent looks at the key issues before England's World Cup qualifying match tomorrow. He talks to Ben Smith

What is Fabio Capello hoping to learn from these games? Should we expect much experimentation?

For all his talk of an open door, Fabio Capello intends to keep faith with the players who have taken England this far. There will be very little change to the side that has won the first eight games although it will be interesting to see what he does in goal with David James back in the squad. Rio Ferdinand should come back into the side in place of Matthew Upson in central defence.

Why is Capello determined to stick with the players he already knows so much about?

There are various aspects to that. One is Capello wanting to field his strongest side to win the remaining games and keep the confidence high. Another is that these are the players in form. There are not too many players knocking on the door, although Capello is keen to encourage the belief among the players that if you play well you will stay in the team. For that reason it is possible that he will stick by Upson to reward his performances in the past few games.

Emile Heskey has struggled to get a game for Aston Villa this season, so do you still expect him to start?

I am 90 per cent certain that Heskey will start. Capello is aware that he has not been playing regularly but he has become so important to the way England play in bringing the best out of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, that he is prepared to persist with him.

I do worry that he is not in the kind of form that he was last season and as the World Cup comes close he needs to be playing regularly and well for Villa to maintain his place in the side. Otherwise, England are going to have to consider a plan B.

Racism has been an issue when England have travelled to eastern Europe in the past. Could it be a problem again tomorrow?

You are always slightly fearful when you come to countries where there is an underlying problem with racism. We have been told there are problems in the Ukraine and there are certainly some fears being expressed behind the scenes that this problem will rear its ugly head.

As Ukraine prepare to co-host the European Championships in 2012 they can ill-afford to have any incidents happen tomorrow and hopefully we will be able to talk only about the football after the game.

Do you expect Capello to start experimenting at some stage?

His starting XI is pretty much settled apart from the goalkeeper which remains open. But that is based on the assumption that everyone is fit and on form by the time the World Cup comes around in June.

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