Fabio Capello has gone back to the familiar with his squad for the Euro 2012 double-header against Bulgaria and Switzerland.
Faced with the loss of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Bobby Zamora from the weekend and with doubts lingering over at least three others, the England coach opted to play it safe and pick Michael Carrick and Matthew Upson rather than select highly-rated Tom Huddlestone and Ryan Shawcross for his side's first competitive internationals since the World Cup debacle.
In total, Capello named 13 of the men who failed so spectacularly in South Africa, including Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe, who, like Upson, were ditched for the friendly win over Hungary earlier this month.
Neither Crouch nor Defoe can be regarded as certainties to make the opening fixture against Bulgaria on Friday given Harry Redknapp has reported both men to be carrying injuries.
Crouch suffered a suspected broken rib in Saturday's home defeat to Wigan and Defoe has put off groin surgery Redknapp felt certain he would need.
Those problems probably explain Capello's decision to select five strikers in his squad, including Darren Bent, whose injury-time penalty condemned Manchester City to their first defeat of the season at Sunderland yesterday.
In addition, Phil Jagielka picked up a bruised foot which Everton boss David Moyes fears will rule his central defender out, which could hand Upson a surprise reprieve.
The West Ham skipper slumped to number five on Capello's list of central defenders in South Africa after Capello controversially drafted in Jamie Carragher and Ledley King.
He eventually played twice in the dismal campaign but was then axed for the Hungary game.
However, with Terry pulling out through injury, Carragher once again retired from England duty and Capello no longer willing to take a chance on King's questionable fitness, Upson once again finds his services are required.
Aside from the loss of Terry, Lampard and Zamora to injury, Wes Brown and Paul Robinson have both retired and youngster Jack Wilshere has been relegated back to the Under-21 squad, leaving Capello to make extensive changes.
The faces are all familiar though, including Scott Carson, forever remembered for his Euro 2008 nightmare against Croatia at Wembley, and who last appeared as a substitute in the friendly win over Germany in Berlin two years ago.