Woodgate misses out

Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate was the only absentee from training as Fabio Capello’s England were put through their paces ahead of Wednesday’s friendly with the Czech Republic.

Woodgate is not a doubt for the Wembley encounter but such are the centre-half’s long-term fitness problems that he was excused a formal session at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground.

The remainder of Capello’s 23-man squad did report for duty, including 12 players who featured in Barclays Premier League action yesterday – Michael Carrick withdrawing after suffering an ankle injury during Manchester United’s draw with Newcastle.

Capello is still to name his captain for the game and the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia which follow, although it is believed to be between centre-half duo Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.

Before they began the session, the England squad launched a joint initiative between the FA and Government to tackle knife crime, with Home Secretary Jacqui Smith due to meet some of Capello’s squad later this afternoon.