Capello retains seven World Cup players

Fabio Capello sent seven of his World Cup failures into the lions' den for England's friendly with Hungary at Wembley tonight.

Captain Steven Gerrard and half a dozen others were selected to run the gauntlet of supporter discontent from a crowd expected to top 60,000.

Forty-five days ago, the same players were the victims of a four-goal drubbing by Germany in Bloemfontein, their World Cup hopes left in ruins at the last-16 stage.

There was a nod to the future, though, with Theo Walcott and Adam Johnson, both axed from Capello's 30-man provisional squad in May, were included to give pace out wide as Wayne Rooney was selected as a lone front man.

That meant no start for Bobby Zamora, although, like Johnson, goalkeeper Joe Hart was handed his first England start.

The other relative new boy was Everton defender Phil Jagielka, who made his first appearance since coming on as a late substitute in the World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine at Wembley in April 2009.

With skipper Rio Ferdinand on the injured list, Jagielka is now favourite to land the job as John Terry's partner for next month's Euro 2012 double-header against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Given Gerrard said he would boo the England team this evening if he was a fan, the reaction was not expected to be great, although Capello hoped the jeers would die down for the second half, when he is expected to give Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Zamora their debuts.