WORLD CUP 2010: It's Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard together again for England... but only if Gareth Barry is unfit, hints Fabio Capello

By Sportsmail Reporter Updated:

Fabio Capello is ready to tackle his central midfield headache by challenging the wisdom that Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard cannot play together.

The Italian, who will today find out the extent of Gareth Barry's ankle problem, insists he has no problem pairing Gerrard and Lampard together at the World Cup if the Manchester City man is ruled.

Capello can hardly have been impressed with the showings of other alternatives Michael Carrick and James Milner during the 3-1 win over Mexico at Wembley on Monday night.

Partners in crime: Gerrard and Lampard have often been criticised for their performances as a central midfield partnership for England

Partners in crime: Gerrard and Lampard have often been criticised for their performances as a central midfield partnership for England

But while Gerrard and Lampard might be two of the national team's best players, getting the best out of both of them at the same time proved beyond Sven Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren.  

It was only when Capello began to use Gerrard in a more attacking role wide on the left that a solution was finally found.

However, with Barry's presence in South Africa dependent on recovery from ligament damage, Capello could not have failed to be impressed by the control Gerrard brought to a patchy England performance when he was switched back into the centre during half-time of a 3-1 win over Mexico.  

'Gerrard can play in midfield with Frank Lampard but we have to wait and see which players will be fit,' said Capello. 'I changed it after half-time and put Steven in the middle, where he played very well.  

'He is a really good player and can play in midfield, as a number 10, in lots of different positions.'

Crunch: Gerrard added steel to England's spine when moved inside in the second half

Crunch: Gerrard gave England steel when moved into the middle against Mexico

Peter Crouch scored his customary goal - his 21st, putting him joint 16th on the all-time England scoring list - and Glen Johnson found a brilliant effort to break his international drought.  

However, it was returning central defender Ledley King who opened England's account, nodding home Crouch's lay-off from six yards.  

'I am happy with him,' said Capello. 'I decided he had to play all the game today. It gave me an opportunity to see him.'

King is likely to be excused Sunday's final friendly against Japan in Graz, although he has probably done enough to earn his spot in the 23-man squad Capello will unveil on June 1.  

Chasing shadows: Michael Carrick struggled badly in midfield against Mexico

Chasing shadows: Michael Carrick (left) struggled badly as a holding midfielder against Mexico

There is still time to make an impression - as Aaron Lennon and Adam Johnson did on their late introductions - although Capello insists no-one played themselves out of contention.  

'I am not concerned by tonight,' he said. 'It was really important to know where we are now, physically and mentally after a long season.

'We have time to recover a lot of the spirit of the team and the qualities we have. When we play counter-attacking, we are really dangerous. But I don't just want to play on the counter. I want more.'  

What Capello doesn't want is to get sidetracked by reports linking him with jobs elsewhere, this time Inter Milan, who are about to lose Champions League-winning coach Jose Mourinho.  

'Juventus, Inter, Real Madrid, the other teams, AC Milan,' he smiled. 'It's good for me but I am focused on the World Cup.'

 


Most watched Sport videos