FABIO CAPELLO has already started putting his England stars on the spot – in a bid to clear the mental hurdle of penalties from their minds.

The Italian has ­implemented post-training spot-kick sessions here in the Austrian Alps, hoping that practice can make perfect.

Squad members Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher all failed under the ultimate pressure in the 2006 quarter-final defeat by Portugal, adding to the story of woe which has seen seven missed penalties in just three World Cup shoot-outs.

Capello will keep a careful note of those players who seem the most confident, hoping that his first-choice five – possibly Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Gerrard, Ashley Cole and James Milner – will all be on the pitch if required to take penalties.