ENGLAND were last night written off as a major football power — by manager Fabio Capello.

As Capello's team prepare to face world champs Spain on Saturday, the Italian says the Three Lions are also-rans because there are not enough English players in the Premier League.

And despite his World Cup flop in South Africa last year, he insists he has done a good job for his £6million-a-year salary considering what he has had to work with.

Not long ago, England used to dine at football's top table but Capello warned: "That time is past.

"I think we've done a pretty good job. English football has only 33 per cent English players. No more. This makes everything difficult."

Capello also admitted there was no point in his players trying to match Spain's scintillating and successful one-touch football.

He said: "We have good players of our own but not good enough to try to have the style of play which Spain have. You cannot think of playing one touch if you do not have the quality."