Capello stands by decision to let England stars skip friendly

FABIO CAPELLO has defended his decision to send five key men back to their clubs ahead of England’s sell-out friendly with Ghana at Wembley tonight.

On Sunday the Football Association confirmed that Chelsea trio John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard had returned to Stamford Bridge, Wayne Rooney had gone back to Manchester United and Michael Dawson was heading to Tottenham after starting Saturday’s Euro 2012 qualifying win over Wales.

It is a move that leaves Capello open to accusations of bias given the 19 players left — Aston Villa’s Kyle Walker and Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon have been ruled out through injury — are all equally important to their own clubs.

But the Italian insists he is not favouring England’s Champions League representatives, merely acknowledging their extra workload during a period of the season when they are most at risk of injury.

“I decided the five players to let go because they had just played four games in 10 days,” said Capello.

“I respect the players and the clubs and I have done this because the players are important for the national team and the clubs.

“The players in the Premier League are only playing three games, not four. This is a big difference.”

In fact, Capello is incorrect as Tottenham’s Champions League decider with AC Milan took place a week before Chelsea and Manchester United were able to secure their last-eight berths.

In any case, Avram Grant would presumably not be too impressed about having Champions League commitments placed above West Ham’s survival fight should anything happen to Scott Parker at Wembley, if the midfielder recovers from the calf injury to take his place in Capello’s intended starting line-up.

And Manchester City, who are likely to have three men in Capello’s England XI including skipper Gareth Barry, are hardly lacking incentive either this season given their desperation for a top-four finish.