Capello places James at the top of the pile

James started his first international for 13 months when playing the opening 45 minutes of Sunday's friendly international with Japan.

In between facing the Ukraine in April 2009 and the game in Graz, Robert Green has started eight of the 11 internationals and Ben Foster two.

But it is James who has been handed the No 1 jersey by Capello in his 23-man squad.

The Portsmouth goalkeeper won his 50th cap against Japan and will celebrate his 40th birthday in August.

Green will have to be content with the No 12 jersey, with Joe Hart wearing 23.

There are few other surprises in Capello's choices for 1 to 11 although Peter Crouch has been given No 9 ahead of Emile Heskey, who made a big impact in the qualifying campaign.

The Tottenham striker has scored 21 goals in 38 appearances for his country while Heskey has managed only seven in 57 internationals.

Meanwhile, midfielder Frank Lampard is confident England will be "fully prepared" for when the World Cup gets underway.

England looked out of sorts during the first half of the warm-up international against Mexico at Wembley and needed two own goals to overcome Japan.

But Lampard believes Capello's side are gradually improving ahead of their opening game tomorrow week.

The Chelsea midfielder also insists he is fully fit despite picking up a kick on the calf against Japan.

Lampard said: "The game against Japan was a good workout for us. It showed the level we were at. It was just what we needed.

"The first-half tempo was probably a little bit slow but in the second half we got better. We pressed them which is what the manager wanted.

"The good thing is that I feel as if we are improving and it has been quite intense in training. We have been training very hard.

"The manager, with the attention to detail that he shows, will go through everything. You can rest assured he won't leave any stone unturned.

"We know we will be fully prepared. With a little bit of luck, and with everyone fit, we will have as good a chance as anybody.

"We need to improve on the last few games but, when everyone is fit, we will go for it."

Lampard was pleased to see his Chelsea team-mate Joe Cole secure his place in the final 23 after Capello trimmed the squad down from his initial 30 on Tuesday.

Cole made sure of his place with an impressive performance as a substitute against Japan after a telling contribution to the final part of the campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard said: "It has been difficult for Joe. You want to get into the team and then take your chance to impress the manager.

"I thought Joe was awesome against Japan. He made a big impact and he's made the squad."

Lampard's ability to score goals from midfield will be a crucial factor if England are to succeed and he is upbeat about his fitness.

He said: "I am fine. I just got a kick on the calf against Japan. I was going for a header and then I got a little bit of cramp in it.

"But it is nothing to worry about. The main thing is we got through that game with no injury concerns."

Lampard's fellow midfielder Steven Gerrard, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Sunday, is refusing to look too far ahead but is confident England can top their initial group.

He said: "I think we can get out of the group as winners and then we take the last-16 challenges on.

"I do not really want to look any further ahead but we have a good mix of experience and fresh talented youngsters."

United States striker Jozy Altidore has been hospitalised with a sprained ankle.

Villarreal striker Altidore missed practice yesterday due to the injury but hospital X-rays ruled out any serious damage.

The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Hull City, had been expected to lead the US attack against England in their opening World Cup game in Rustenburg on June 12.

The US Soccer Federation issued a statement saying: "Jozy Altidore sat out training (yesterday) after incurring a mild right ankle sprain during Wednesday's practice.

"Altidore's status is considered day-to-day, and he will undergo a fitness test (today) to determine his availability for the June 5 friendly against Australia."

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What's in a number?

England's World Cup squad numbers:

1 David James

2 Glen Johnson

3 Ashley Cole

4 Steven Gerrard

5 Rio Ferdinand

6 John Terry

7 Aaron Lennon

8 Frank Lampard

9 Peter Crouch

10 Wayne Rooney

11 Joe Cole

12 Robert Green

13 Stephen Warnock

14 Gareth Barry

15 Matthew Upson

16 James Milner

17 Shaun Wright-Phillips

18 Jamie Carragher

19 Jermain Defoe

20 Ledley King

21 Emile Heskey

22 Michael Carrick

23 Joe Hart