Fabio's faith in midfield pair

Gerrard and Lampard: Capello backing

If I pick Gerrard I will be asked 'why not Lampard?' If I pick Lampard I will be asked 'why not Gerrard?' I think they can play together.

Fabio Capello.
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Fabio Capello remains confident Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard can play together, but would not guarantee either midfielder a place in his starting XI for England's World Cup qualifier against Belarus.

Liverpool captain Gerrard and Chelsea ace Lampard are regularly in inspirational form at club level, but have rarely sparkled to the same extent on the international stage, especially when paired together.

Successive England managers remain convinced the duo can be incorporated into the same side, and Capello appears to be no different, despite mounting evidence to the contrary.

Gerrard, Lampard and Barry started in a three-man midfield against Kazakhstan at Wembley on Saturday, but England struggled in the first 45 minutes and the Aston Villa man was sacrificed at the interval with Shaun Wright-Phillips brought on.

Gerrard has admitted that he needs to improve on his displays for England if he is to keep his place in the side, and while he is expected to start in Minsk in Wednesday night's Group 6 clash, Capello claims he is still to decide on his first XI.

Always happy

The England coach also appears to be getting slightly frustrated by the constant discussion of his preferred midfield.

He told Sky Sports News: "Yes, it's always the same. If I pick Gerrard I will be asked 'why not Lampard?' If I pick Lampard I will be asked 'why not Gerrard?'

"I think they can play together.

"Gerrard has played some games well. It's easier when you play for your club because you are training every day and you know the players very well.

"I am always happy with Gerrard and Lampard's performance. But also the other players, I don't like to speak about one or two players.

"I have to decide the first XI. You will have to wait until after the last training session and then I will decide. I have to decide the position on the pitch of the first XI, it is not about one player."

Wayne Bridge is expected to replace Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole at left-back, with Capello confident he will slot seamlessly into the side.

Bridge has been forced to play second string to Cole for both club and country, but played against CFR Cluj in the UEFA Champions League at the start of the month.

Capello said: "I think he (Bridge) is the best left-back like Ashley Cole. I think he played one of the last games (for Chelsea), and I think for tomorrow he will be OK."

Movement

The Italian has urged England to adopt the same mentality they used for their famous 4-1 victory over Croatia, although he is wary of the threat posed by Belarus.

Victory on Wednesday would give the Three Lions maximum points from their opening four games, and would represent their best-ever start to a World Cup qualification campaign.

Capello said: "We played one very strong game away against Croatia, it was a very important for the mind, for our confidence, and this will be another very, very important game away from home.

"We will have to play like we played against Croatia, strong, quick and put pressure on the players with the ball. We need to have good movement. This is very important, the movement without the ball.

"Belarus are a very good team and tomorrow will not be an easy game. They drew with Argentina and with Germany. It will be a very, very tough game.

"I am sure that the England supporters that will be here tomorrow will support us, and I hope at the end of the game they will be happy."