Fabio Capello is ready to ditch his World Cup qualifying blueprint - and unleash Wayne Rooney as a lone striker in South Africa.

The Manchester United ace worked at the tip of a 4-5-1 formation throughout England's training sessions at their Austrian base-camp yesterday, replicating the role that saw him score 34 goals for the Old Trafford outfit this term.

And the link man, playing in the "No 10" role behind Rooney, was fellow Scouser Steven Gerrard, who has spent most of Capello's reign starting on the left.

The amount of time spent on the system, three days before England's farewell home friendly with Mexico, was a clear sign that Capello is ready to spring a major tactical switch.

Fabio Capello is ready to ditch his World Cup qualifying blueprint - and unleash Wayne Rooney as a lone striker in South Africa.

The Manchester United ace worked at the tip of a 4-5-1 formation throughout England's training sessions at their Austrian base-camp yesterday, replicating the role that saw him score 34 goals for the Old Trafford outfit this term.

And the link man, playing in the "No 10" role behind Rooney, was fellow Scouser Steven Gerrard, who has spent most of Capello's reign starting on the left.

The amount of time spent on the system, three days before England's farewell home friendly with Mexico, was a clear sign that Capello is ready to spring a major tactical switch.