Fabio Capello pledged yesterday to restore pride in the England shirt, while indicating that the players would have to work hard to earn the right to wear one. In his first press conference since being appointed manager last week, the Italian made a point of not making promises to those who aspire to be in his squad, failing to guarantee that John Terry will retain the captaincy and refusing to confirm that David Beckham will win his 100th cap against Switzerland on February 6.

Beckham’s case has been strengthened by the confirmation that Terry will be out for up to two months. A scan yesterday revealed three broken bones in the right foot injured during Chelsea’s defeat by Arsenal on Sunday and the centre half will almost certainly miss Capello’s first match in charge.

Giving Beckham the honour of leading out his team at Wembley would allow Capello more time to get to know his squad before making a long-term choice before the friendly against France in March, although none of the captaincy candidates will have been heartened yesterday. “I have just arrived and there are many things I have to think about,” Capello said through a translator. “I have a month to think about it and I will tell you.”

Even Beckham was given little encouragement, despite having helped the new manager to win La Liga with Real Madrid last season, with Capello saying only that he would be considered. “There is a misconception about my relationship with Beckham,” he said. “He was a great player at Madrid and a great asset. We had a contrasting relationship at Real, but he showed he is a great man and a great player. When David Beckham sets his mind to something, he will usually achieve it.

“You never know. David’s performance and fitness are also important and there is still a month for such important decisions to be made. I believe that Beckham is a great player for England and will come into consideration.”

Capello was more unequivocal when discussing what he expected from his players, leaving them in no doubt that they should not take their places for granted. The 61-year-old is renowned as a master tactician, but he also hopes to restore passion to England’s performances. “All the coaches previously with England have believed that England would always play a pivotal role in football,” he said. “I don’t believe they were wrong. Now I want to speak to the players and make sure that wearing the shirt is about pride for them.

“I believe that English footballers are born with the will to win as well as the ability to win and I hope to be the man to get that out of them. I am confident that I will.”

Capello also indicated that he would look beyond the squad that failed to qualify for Euro 2008, suggesting that he would use the four international friendlies scheduled for this season to assess options before the World Cup qualifying campaign begins in September. “I want to create a group,” he said. “We have four games until June in which we can form a group and see how it develops. I am very lucky to play until next autumn without the pressure of qualification.

“I have lots of faith in this national team. I believe above all that the pride of wearing this shirt should be a motivation for every player. We want to see all players playing for England like they do for their clubs.”

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