England boss Fabio Capello wants his players to prove they can play without injured Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney tonight.

Capello is viewing the Manchester United striker's absence as a good opportunity to test out the rest of his squad, with Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor widely expected to start.

He said: "Rooney is a very important player for us and also for United but the result is we'll play a different style, with some different players and it will be a very interesting game for me.

"I will know some players better.

"I have big confidence in all the players. Rooney is important because his style is the style I like in my team, but we have other important players. We can win with Rooney and without Rooney."

Asked whether he would be tempted to experiment in a final qualifier which is no more than a dead rubber, Capello replied: "It's possible you'll be surprised."