Managers

The jury is still out on Fabio Capello with the Italian only having been in charge of England for two games and a record so far of one win and one defeat. However, it was the manner of the defeat against France in March which was disappointing, with their lack of creativity, technique or ability to hold on to the ball. Although Capello's club record is beyond question he is completely unproven at international level. A stylish win over the United States will not satisfy the English public, who would expect nothing else.

Bob Bradley was installed as interim coach in December 2006 before being confirmed as official coach last May. Bradley has previously managed Chicago Fire, New York/New Jersey MetroStars and Chivas USA over nine seasons and was voted Major League Soccer Coach of the Year in 1998, as he led Fire to the double. Following the game with England, the USA play Spain and Argentina before they twice face Barbados in World Cup qualifiers.

Players

England have most of their top names available for the friendly and include Los Angeles-based David Beckham in their squad. John Terry will be looking to atone for his penalty miss against Manchester United in last week's Champions League final. A number of players - notably those on the fringes - will be looking to impress with the World Cup qualifiers starting in Andorra in September.

The USA have a number of established British-based players including midfielders DaMarcus Beasley, of Rangers, Fulham's Clint Dempsey and goalkeeper Tim Howard, who will be tasting European football next season with Everton. Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan is set to get his 100th cap on Wednesday when he would become the youngest American player to win a century of caps.

Recent form

England will no doubt fully absorb next month their failure to qualify for the finals of Euro 2008 when the tournament gets under way. Their inability to make the finals prompted the dismissal of manager Steve McClaren and their form since Capello's introduction has been less than impressive. They edged a 2-1 victory over Switzerland before defeat by France but they have been accused of merely continuing the ineptitude they showed before the Italian's appointment.

The Americans, in contrast, are unbeaten in 2008 under Bradley with the team on a five-match unbeaten run. So far this year they have beaten Sweden and Poland as well as drawing with Mexico.

The key battles

JONATHAN SPECTOR v DEAN ASHTON

Spector will know all about the threat his West Ham United team-mate can pose and will need to cope with Ashton's physical presence if the USA are to claim a victory at Wembley. Spector did not figure in West Ham's last four games of the season but has improved markedly since failing to make the grade as a trainee at Manchester United and spending a loan spell at Charlton Athletic.

Ashton looked set to play for England in August 2006 but suffered a broken ankle in a training session ahead of the friendly with Greece. Fitness concerns again robbed him of an appearance when he pulled out of a friendly with Estonia a year ago but Capello looks set to give him a chance tomorrow. Something of a traditional English centre-forward, Ashton will be England's main target and will be expected to work hard to hold the ball up.

MICHAEL BRADLEY v STEVEN GERRARD

A midfielder with Heerenveen in Holland, Bradley is the son of USA coach Bob but has made sure accusations of nepotism receive short shrift with his energetic displays. Has helped his club side to a place in the Uefa Cup this season and been linked with a move to the Premier League at either Everton or Blackburn Rovers. At 6ft 1in the 21-year-old has a physical presence but it is his goalscoring record - 18 in 36 games in the Eredivisie - which has caught the eye.

Gerrard has not played since Liverpool's season ended more than two weeks ago but will still be expected to provide England's driving force from midfield. The debate continues over whether Gerrard can reproduce his club form for his country and it will be interesting to see where Capello deploys the Anfield skipper, who has been used as a second striker behind Fernando Torres for Liverpool.

LANDON DONOVAN v JOHN TERRY

Donovan, 26, could become the fourth youngest player in world football history to reach 100 caps if he turns out against England. The Los Angeles Galaxy striker has scored eight goals in eight games this season in MLS action, including a recent hat-trick against Chivas USA. At just 5ft 8in he will pose little threat in the air but can score with both feet and will rely on his pace to unsettle England's defence.

Terry will be playing his first game since missing a penalty in the Champions League final and Donovan will be hoping the Chelsea centre-back's mind will still be on that Moscow miss which denied the Blues European glory. However, Terry has been handed the captaincy and that is certain to ensure the talismanic figure turns in a typically committed display.

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