SOCCER:FABIO CAPELLO still looks an imperious figure but there has also been a desperation in his efforts to reshape his side since the hapless campaign at last year's World Cup. While England lead Group G as they enter the Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley, it will not be easy for the manager to bring his team to the fore if, as expected, they are at the finals next summer.

The search for new players has been extensive if not frantic, with a willingness shown to scout players even in the Championship.

Capello’s desire to provide opportunities is offset by the understanding that genuine candidates are not necessarily abundant. Nonetheless, he has been intent on change. While Wayne Rooney is suspended this weekend, Darren Bent has the opportunity to consolidate. The Aston Villa attacker has now scored in each of his past three appearances for England. Games at a higher level will tax him further but Capello realises he does not have a host of devastating players to be introduced.

There is no new generation ready to be embraced and talk of the future often has to dwell on Jack Wilshere’s prospects. Jordan Henderson could be treated as an equivalent of sorts but the Sunderland player has not been on the pitch for England since that match with France.

He is just 20 and every opportunity still lies before Henderson. Capello’s zeal for change, however, keeps on being countered by the fact that a line-up with which he is familiar has been providing sound results, with the exception of the goalless draw with Montenegro at Wembley. The manager may simply have been indulging his curiosity when, for instance, sending on Danny Welbeck against Ghana.

The forward, on loan to Sunderland from Manchester United, scored only six goals for the club, the most recent of them in January. Capello risks the accusation that he has made it too easy for footballers to collect a cap and Matt Jarvis of Wolves, for example, also took part in the Ghana match. The pressure, though, is on Capello to eradicate the ennui that followed dreary displays at the World Cup.

The manager appreciates the progress made by, say, Aston Villa’s Ashley Young but those who have entered the highest level of club football are more likely still to have their prospects with England enhanced. “We’ve got some players who have improved a lot,” Capello said, “the players who have played more difficult games at the top of the table. Playing to win every game to arrive in the Champions League is important.”

Wilshere comes into that category.

The emphasis on Wilshere illustrates how taxing it is for Capello to remodel England. His intent is beyond doubt and the season began with Michael Dawson, Kieran Gibbs, Bobby Zamora and Wilshere himself all making their international debuts from the bench in the friendly with Hungary. The Arsenal midfielder is the only one to have lasted the England campaign with Capello, although that fixture has taken on importance since it saw Joe Hart’s first start for his country.

The side is extremely likely to reach Euro 2012 and the manager has other candidates who will come under consideration. Andy Carroll can hope for opportunities even if Capello spoke to him early in this campaign about his drinking habits.

The manager is at least interested in the slowly shifting nature of the squad. “We’ve got probably more imagination,” he said when asked how the present squad compares with the one that was at its peak when qualifying for the tournament in South Africa. “Some players have improved.”

By and large adjustments to the England squad since the World Cup are more interesting than exhilarating and the average age has not dipped all that much, regardless of David James’s removal. But counterparts to Wilshere are still badly needed