Defensive remedy remains central to our hopes

That much became clear when he called up Bolton's Kevin Davies, a 33-year-old striker who has never played for his country and whose combative, old-fashioned style does not exactly conform to Capello's supposed vision of a brave new world of youth following the summer shambles at the World Cup.

The late withdrawal of Darren Bent with a groin injury does not help matters either.

But take a look further back in England's line-up and the striking concerns are put into perspective.

Centre-half John Terry is out with a back injury. Phil Jagielka is out with a hamstring problem. Rio Ferdinand returns for the first time after three-and-a-half months away from the international scene with doubts surrounding his own chronic back problems.

Who will partner Ferdinand, who rightfully regains the captain's armband from Steven Gerrard? Almost certainly Joleon Lescott, a player who has been turning out at full-back for Manchester City and who is an average Premier League player at best and at worst something of a liability at international level.

Which is not meant to be unkind to a hard-working professional, just that it is hard to defend those supplying the back-up for Capello's European Championship challenge.

If Terry and Ferdinand were fit for every game then there would be no problem. But these days they rarely are. Terry has missed the last two internationals with hamstring injuries. Ferdinand has spent more time on the treatment table than the pitch in recent years.

And if the World Cup proved anything it is that an unsettled central defence makes progressing deep into major championships almost impossible.

Capello's gamble on Ledley King backfired in South Africa, the Tottenham defender breaking down as he does so often in the Premier League with his chronic knee condition.

The fact that Capello even took him demonstrated what he thinks of the alternatives.

Meanwhile, West Ham's Matthew Upson only proved he was a notch below the necessary quality in South Africa while Tottenham's Michael Dawson is usually injured, Jonathan Woodgate always so, and Gary Cahill – called up this time as a late replacement – has yet to prove his credentials at the highest level.

It is a worry, one which England might well get away with in the weakest of qualifying groups but one which could come back to bite them when they reach the tournament proper.

Capello's problem is that there is no one with a compelling case for inclusion.

That might change in the next few years if players such as Blackburn's 18-year-old Phil Jones, an old-school type centre-half with confidence and authority beyond his years, continues to turn in Under-21 performances of great promise.

There are high hopes, too, for Manchester United's 20-year-old Chris Smalling, whose pace and raw ability have drawn comparisons with Ferdinand. And for Tottenham's 18-year-old Steven Caulker, currently on loan at Bristol City.

But no one would argue they are ready yet

Which leaves Capello with a defence comprising arguably the best left full-back in the world (Ashley Cole), a right-back who excels far more around the opposing penalty area than he does his own (Glen Johnson) and a central pairing as changeable as the autumn weather.

It is what makes tonight's match against unbeaten Group G leaders Montenegro more fascinating than otherwise it might be.

Montenegro showed will and application to beat Switzerland on Friday and in Roma's Mirko Vucinic and Simon Vukcevic from Sporting Lisbon they have players who could cause problems at Wembley if England are uncertain.

Yet Montenegro's defence is not noted for mobility and if Wayne Rooney can find something of the real form which has deserted him of late then England should return to the top of Group G with a win by a two-goal margin.

The jury, however, is likely to stay out on the case for Capello's defence.