JAMES MILNER

Capello resisted the temptation to recall Neville, 34, and uncapped Kyle Walker is unlikely to start in Cardiff. Phil Jagielka is versatile enough to play at right back but this experiment went rather badly when England tried it against France in November.

All of that points to sticking with attack-minded Glen Johnson at right back and packing a little help nearby in the shape of James Milner.

He has the lungs to pursue Bale for 90 minutes and the brain to decipher the instructions of the England manager, who was at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to see Milner playing on Manchester City's right wing with the primary task of nullifying the threat of Ashley Cole.

Plugging the gaps: Milner (second left) performed admirably against the wing threat of Cole

Together with Micah Richards, Milner worked to channel Cole into a congested central area patrolled by Nigel de Jong. When Chelsea went ahead and City needed a goal, off came Milner and on went Adam Johnson.

Milner stuck to his defensive role well without abandoning offensive duties, and that gives him an edge over Stewart Downing and Aaron Lennon. 

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