Injuries leave Capello with second-rate team

Gerrard was on his way home after being assessed by England's medical staff this morning for a groin problem, while Lampard has picked up a rib injury.

With Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Wes Brown, Owen Hargreaves, Ashley Cole and Emile Heskey also missing the match through injury, Capello's plans have been left in tatters.

Fulham's Jimmy Bullard and West Ham's Scott Parker have both been drafted into the squad and there was better news as John Terry said he was over a foot problem and would travel with the team to Germany.

But there are now bound to be more questions about the wisdom of holding the friendly at this stage of the season with so many matches being played in the run up to Christmas.

Only four of Capello's first-choice line-up, David James, Terry, Theo Walcott and Gareth Barry, will be available.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill branded the midweek international "pointless" last week because it comes five months before England return to competitive football.

With Barry, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Curtis Davies and Ashley Young all included in the squad, O'Neill is concerned about burnout with top players being asked to play too many games.

But Barry, for one, is relishing the opportunity to face Joachim Low's side in Berlin. He said: "It's obviously a tough one for a club manager. We realise he wants his players to be getting a rest.

"We are in the UEFA Cup this season and there is a lot of travelling and a lot of games. There are two points of view.

"But I am sure players like Ashley, Gaby and a few others around the country will be looking at this as an opportunity to put themselves on the international stage. So there's always two sides to it."

The Villa midfielder insisted, though, that he wanted to be part of the team and would never turn down the chance to play for his country.

He said: "Even though it's a friendly I'll be happy to play. It's always a good spectacle against Germany. There's a big rivalry. I am sure the country is looking forward to it."

The latest twist in the Gerrard story is likely to infuriate Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

The Reds had announced that Gerrard would be absent for seven to 10 days after picking up the injury in the weekend victory over Bolton, but Capello demanded that he report for duty at England's team hotel near Watford to be examined by the FA's medical staff. The Italian clearly wanted to send out a message that he will decide who plays for England, and when, after Gerrard missed the World Cup qualifiers in Andorra and Croatia after undergoing a groin operation that Liverpool were slow to inform him about.

The chances of Darren Bent starting have also increased with so many absentees.

Bent's last England start was in a friendly against Uruguay in March 2006. The 24-year-old has forced his way back into Capello's plans as a result of his outstanding recent form, which has seen him score seven goals in as many matches since Harry Redknapp became manager at Tottenham.

Bent said: "I remember that season. I scored 22 goals in all competitions for Charlton and to not go to the 2006 World Cup was really disheartening.

"I remember all summer I was gutted to not be there. I wished the boys could do as well as they could, but I was disappointed.

"I used the following season as a positive, so I tried to push on to make sure I did not miss out on the next squad.

"England v Germany games are always very important to play in and for me, as I'm not a regular, I feel as if I have to prove myself. If I get my chance to I will try to impress."