England boss Fabio Capello insists the door is still open to new players for next year's World Cup squad.

"I played the qualification for the Argentina World Cup but I didn't go to Argentina," he recalled.

"I wasn't injured. I just wasn't good enough and I heard on TV that I was not in the squad.

"In 1974 we arrived as one of the favourites. Out of the previous 12 games, we won eight and drew four against some of the best teams in the world. But at the World Cup we played Poland, Argentina and Haiti - and then went home.

"It just shows we have to wait. It is possible all the players I selected for the last squad will be with us in South Africa.

"But the door is open for everyone, and I have to decide at the time which players are in the best form."

Capello's soothing words should at least offer the likes of Manchester United striker Michael Owen, Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole and United's Owen Hargreaves some hope they will make the final cut - even if they would all miss out if the decision had to be made now.