Capello out of spotlight as Hitzfeld’s Switzerland head to Wembley

Hitzfeld’s men have won just one game since opening their qualifying campaign with a 3-1 defeat to England last September and are six points adrift of their opponents.

Fabio Capello, whose men top Group G ahead of Montenegro on goal difference, has to deal with issues of his own as his side are suffering a severe striker shortage following Jermain Defoe’s withdrawl from the England squad last week.

Wayne Rooney is suspended leaving Darren Bent as England’s only fully-fit forward, with further doubts over the fitness of Peter Crouch and Bobby Zamora.

Capello also faces the task of clearing the air with former Leeds United defender Rio Ferdinand after stripping him of the captaincy in favour of former skipper John Terry.

The Italian last week said he was yet to talk to Ferdinand following the decision to replace him last March.

But it is Capello’s opposite number who is under the most pressure leading up to the clash.

Previously hailed ‘The Messiah’ by a Swiss newspaper in 2008, Hitzfeld led his team to a victory against the eventual winners Spain in the group stages of the World Cup last summer.

A string of poor results since have cranked up the pressure on the 62-year-old, and a defeat for Switzerland would virtually kill off all hopes of qualification and could lead to his dismissal.

The German manager lost two senior strikers following a goalless draw with Bulgaria in March, as Alex Frei and Marco Streller retired following a barrage of criticism.

Another veteran attacker, Hakin Yakin, has been dropped after blasting his boss for leaving him on the bench for the entire game.

Capello will hope to take advantage of the unrest in the Swiss camp and continue his side’s undefeated run in the campaign at Wembley this Saturday.