KIDS ARE ALRIGHT ... Capello is backing England youngsters like Theo Walcott

FORGET the X Factor — Fabio Capello is backing England's kids to conquer the Fear Factor tonight.

Capello wants his rookies to take centre-stage against the might of Spain and prove they are ready for Euro 2012.

The Italian has long talked of the fear factor, particularly when the Three Lions play at Wembley.

So he wants to try out the new boys in what he thinks is the toughest of environments — playing at home against the No 1 team in the world.

For 19-year-old Phil Jones it is the ultimate task. A home debut in central midfield trying to combat the genius of Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

This is only his second cap, having played right-back against Montenegro last month. And he has only featured once in midfield for Manchester United, against Liverpool. It was not a runaway success.

But Capello discussed the idea with United manager Alex Ferguson at his 25th anniversary celebrations and Fergie has apparently given the idea a thumbs-up.

Yes, Jones had a good run in midfield as a Blackburn player — and is supremely confident.

But this is a very different proposition and it is highly unlikely United will use him there in the future.

The England coach, however, believes the versatile teenager is the man for the job.

Capello said: "I spoke with Sir Alex and Jones was in my mind when I met him in Manchester. He said he could play there. You know, last year he played in midfield."

As it was pointed out, though, Fergie is Scottish.

Surely he wasn't trying to stitch up Capello, was he?

Capello laughed: "This is good. I know he's Scottish because, during the party, he wore a kilt. Yes, yes, yes, yes. I understood exactly that he is Scottish.

"I want to try this, though. This is perfect. We haven't a lot of young players who can play as midfielders "He can play right-back, centre-back, he can play, for me, as a midfielder because he's a really fantastic player. He's got a lot of really good qualities. His potential is the top."

Capello even thinks Jones can be better than Italian legend Franco Baresi.

He said: "Baresi was really good as a defender. But, as a midfielder, he was so-so.

"I hope Jones can be a better midfielder."

While it would have seemed more obvious to stick Jones in central defence against such a formidable outfit, Capello also has faith in Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka as his partnership.

Jagielka will even be playing with a broken toe which could require an injection.

Everton are not overjoyed but Capello said: "I spoke with Jagielka and asked him and he said he was ready, he's OK.

"He will decide whether he takes an injection. The player said: 'Yes, I want to play.' I didn't say: 'You must play.'

"That's a big difference. OK, clear? We need to be clear." It is possible there will be a start for Jones' United team-mate Danny Welbeck up front while Chelsea youngster Daniel Sturridge is expected to join the action at some point.

Uncapped pair Jack Rodwell and Kyle Walker are also in the frame. And a youthful line-up will include 19-cap Theo Walcott.

Capello said: "For me, these are important games to see the value of the players.

"Yes it is a risk, but not a lot. I want to understand what will happen with the players I select when we go to play the really important games at the Euros.

"Those matches at the Euros will be more difficult. So I need to know the value of the players.

"No one is close to Spain in the world. No one. The Dutch are playing well, they're in a good moment now, and Germany are playing well, yes.

"But the style Spain play is completely different to other teams. Their ball possession is really, really good.

"Sometimes — not sometimes, always — it's difficult to win back the ball because they are really good technically.

"For this reason it's the most difficult game, for me, to play because this side is unique. You can't copy this style.

"But we've got seven, eight, sometimes nine players who weren't at the World Cup, so it's new — and in the last two years, some young players have improved.

"We are going to be playing three matches at home with the pressure against Spain, Sweden and later Holland.

"Here, the pressure is more than away from home.

"For this reason you can understand the value of the players here, more than away.

"I have no fear. Nothing. I think the team that will play will be really, really good."