INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY:MANAGEMENT IS a process of investigation and Fabio Capello has conducted his inquiries with particular thoroughness. Since his first England match, the 2-1 victory over Switzerland in February 2008, he has seized the opportunity to consider just about every realistic candidate. There have been several casualties strewn along the side of the road.

Loyalty does not feature much in his planning. Accustoming himself to England, Capello might beam with approval if told of Lord Palmerston’s famous observation that Britain had no permanent friends, only permanent interests. Players tend not to be included in the squad out of habit.

It is a small surprise to see that the first scorer of Capello’s time was Jermaine Jenas, who gave England the lead against the Swiss. Subsequently he has had two further outings as a substitute and is not currently involved.

Another Tottenham player, Jonathan Woodgate, was on the field for the whole of the friendly with Trinidad and Tobago in June last year but has been seen for only 33 minutes since, against the Czechs in August.

There is a firmness to Capello. While he used Michael Owen from the bench in the friendly with France a year ago, there has been a scepticism about the striker’s fitness, even when he has strung together a few appearances for Newcastle.

Conversely David Beckham is judged capable of an impact although restricted to cameos. That younger crosser of the ball, David Bentley, has declined since playing the full 90 minutes against Switzerland.

There is a recognition that English footballers are most at ease with an aggressive approach, even if clubs like Manchester United have developed a more considered manner. Directness is usually futile without speed and the pace of Theo Walcott was irresistible to Capello.

In retrospect it made perfect sense that the attacker, then 19, should start in Zagreb. That sort of acceleration is now so indispensable that Aaron Lennon has been brought back into the fold two years after his last cap.

It is also relevant that the Tottenham winger has made progress both in deciding which sort of cross to deliver and in ensuring that it lands in the intended spot.

Capello has attributes in mind more than reputations. Gabriel Agbonlahor, demoralised and out of the Aston Villa line-up last week, had caught the England manager’s eye because of his pace. The striker, who had been in the party for the Trinidad fixture, started the recent matches against Germany and Spain.

It must have been his speed that was prized. If acceleration is precious to Capello, then so, too, is physical presence. Few had anticipated the return of Emile Heskey as a key figure. His England career declined as he collected only two caps under Steve McClaren but his power and capacity to hold the ball until Wayne Rooney and others get forward have had a devastating impact of late.

If, say, Walcott, Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are all to be accommodated, then a lone striker system becomes inevitable. The injury-prone Dean Ashton had all the attributes and was included in the side that beat Trinidad. Now, another West Ham striker with muscle, Carlton Cole, is being considered. Cole, so improved under Gianfranco Zola, made his debut against Spain from the bench.

With the inclusion of Ben Foster, Capello has now named eight goalkeepers in his squads. The range has been baffling and Joe Lewis, now with Peterborough, broke into the group on the strength of his involvement with the under-21s. The issue of goalkeepers, particularly, has exasperated the manager.

By and large, he seems to enjoy springing surprises. Michael Mancienne was on the bench against Germany before he had made his debut for Chelsea. Capello did go to extremes by trying to bring in Ledley King this week but the underlying ambition to involve an excellent centre-half was laudable. He has reopened the possibility of King restarting an international career so long as the timing and circumstances are right.

Capello is serious about the meritocratic principle. Many felt gladdened when Phil Jagielka was capped against Spain after his sustained contribution to Everton. The centre-half was at fault for the first goal in Seville but has been retained in the current squad. A core of footballers will always exist who are central to any manager’s plan for England but Capello has shown an open mind.

Of course, the introduction of less familiar faces is also a reminder that it would be unwise for anyone to take it for granted that his England future is secure.