Capello lays down law on call-ups

[kyan]

Capello lays down law on call-ups

England Coach Fabio Capello will have the final say whether Manchester United and Chelsea players will travel with England for the Trinidad & Tobago game.

Nine players involved in the Champions League final are due to report for England on Saturday ahead of Wednesday's match against the USA.

However, it remains unclear whether they will travel for the 1 June game.

"I'll decide - if I want them to go then they'll go," he told the BBC in his first interview in English.

"We are one England team and we wear one England shirt," he added on Football Focus.

Meanwhile, Newcastle striker Michael Owen is likely to miss the forthcoming friendlies because of a virus.

Owen did not report for England duty on Friday and is not expected to play against the USA at Wembley or in Port of Spain the following Sunday.

Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas is also out with an ankle problem.

Owen's absence will give the likes of Dean Ashton and Gabriel Agbonlahor a chance to stake a place in the team.

An England statement said: "Ahead of England's friendlies against USA and Trinidad and Tobago, the England squad has seen two changes.

"Michael Owen was unable to report due to an infectious virus and is expected to be out for both games, while Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jermaine Jenas reported with an ankle injury and has returned home.

"The nine players from Manchester United and Chelsea who were involved in the Champions League final in Moscow on Wednesday evening, will report for England on Saturday.

"David Beckham will report on Sunday, after LA Galaxy's game with Kansas City on Saturday."

BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Capello lays down law on call-ups

Shame to see Owen miss out but it'd be good to see Agbonlahor or Ashton get a chance.