He also knows the midfield is stronger with Steven Gerrard in it, just as he recognises the importance of Rooney to any England team.

Against Wales, Rooney was a frustrated, isolated figure, and that must be addressed. But the root of the problem, in Capello’s opinion, was the lack of mobility in a midfield comprising Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry and James Milner, all of whom seemed to be suffering from that World Cup hangover.

Replace them with Wilshere, Parker and Gerrard, with the Liverpool captain positioned in a more advanced role supporting Rooney, and deploy Young, Downing or Walcott on the flanks and England might just be in business.

Any baggage that remains just needs to be left where it belongs, in the past.

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