Wes Brown snub is yet another blow for embattled Capello

After the pain of England's profound mediocrity at the World Cup the Italian has to wince again. Paul Robinson, the Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper, had already declined to return to international football despite being named in the squad. Brown is a more troubling loss for Capello. The defender has 23 caps and nine of his 17 starts had come under the Italian.

His decision reflects a desire to extend his career. Injury has prevented him from playing a competitive match since 3 March, but the England coach will still rue the loss of his services. Irritations are incessant for Capello, who has been coming under sustained scrutiny. The sense of a man bedevilled by problems is deepened by his argument that tiredness following the domestic season had undermined his men at the World Cup.