Capello confirmed Zamora would be one of nine changes to the side that conquered the world champions on Saturday. Of all the strikers available to him, Capello considers Zamora to be the best target man; the most gifted when it comes to controlling a long ball and distributing it effectively, in this case into the path of Welbeck or Theo Walcott.

Had it not been for injuries, Zamora would have been given his chance before now. But this remains a major opportunity for the 30-year-old Fulham striker, particularly when Capello seems to be losing patience with Andy Carroll.

Of all the things Capello said, his response to a question about Carroll was perhaps the most interesting. His concerns about
Carroll's lifestyle are well documented and he dismissed the Liverpool forward with more than a hint of exasperation.

'Wasn't Carroll supposed to be the future?' someone asked. 'Yes, but that depends on him,' replied Capello. 'Not on me.'

In Zamora, however, he has high hopes. 'I've had Zamora around the team for a long time,' he said. 'He had some hand problems at the start of the season, and his balance was not good. But in the last few games he's played really well. So now I want to see him at Wembley.'

Capello envisages England playing a more expansive style than we saw on Saturday. 'Sweden play a different style,' he said.

'They prefer to counter-attack and they defend very well. It will be difficult to find the space to attack.

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