England coach Fabio Capello insists his selection policy did not influence West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green's dodgy display last night.

Green allowed a 25-yard shot from USA midfielder Clint Dempsey to slip from his grasp and over the line for the equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

Green's error cancelled out the opening goal from England skipper Steve Gerrard and leaves the group in the balance for Fabio Capello's side.

Capello, however, insisted his decision to keep his goalkeepers guessing until two hours before kick off at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium was not a mistake.

"No, absolutely not," he said. "I decided Green would be the goalkeeper because he played the last game very well and at Wembley (against Mexico) the performance was very good too. He made one mistake, but in the second half he made a good save. This is the problem of the goalkeeper.

"We have to accept the mistakes of goalkeepers and of referees and of forwards. This is football."

Capello, however, refused to say whether he would stand by Green against Algeria, saying: "We have time to decide and to speak with him and I will decide."