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Capello hails competition for places

Fabio Capello is confident in England's array of attacking options © Getty Images

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Fabio Capello believes he now has genuine competition for places after watching his England side beat Denmark despite missing a number of key players.

The Italian saw the Three Lions come from behind to win 2-1 on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Aston Villa duo Darren Bent and Ashley Young, and admits that the former's strong performance - in the absence of the likes of Liverpool striker Andy Carroll - has given him a real headache as he considers his forward options for the forthcoming games against Wales and Ghana in March.

"There's big competition because all the players could play," Capello said. "It won't be easy for me to choose. All those players who featured here are in good form. I hope that's still the case when it comes to the games in March and against Switzerland [in June].

"I will have the same players, like Wayne Rooney, like Bent, like Andy Carroll, like Jermain Defoe, like Peter Crouch. I have to decide which ones play depending on what form they're in."

Capello also had high praise for the performance of Young - admitting he had watched the midfielder closely in recent weeks and been impressed by his play in a role behind the main striker.

"I've watched three or four Aston Villa games recently and I like the position Ashley Young is playing, centrally," he revealed. "He's really good there because he's free. He can run where he wants and is fast and technically good, so he can be dangerous. He's strong with his dribbling, his shooting and his passing - a good player."

Arsenal tyro Jack Wilshere attracted a lot of attention after making his first international start, but Capello cautioned against expecting the 19-year-old to be one of the first names on the teamsheet for the game against Wales - noting he has a number of key fixtures with his club in the coming weeks that could test his stamina.

"We'll have to wait and see over the next month," he said. "He has to play some important games, not only in the Premier League but also in the Champions League.

"He is a new player, like Andy Carroll is a new player. Theo [Walcott] is back, [Scott] Parker played well and the goalkeeper Joe Hart did really well with two important saves."

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