Matthew Upson turned in a solid display to win his 14th cap for England on Saturday but it was a disappointing experience for club-mates Robert Green and Carlton Cole.
Central defender Upson partnered John Terry in the absence of Rio Ferdinand as Fabio Capello's team won 4-0 against Slovakia at Wembley. The friendly match was a warm-up for Wednesday night's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at the same venue - and Upson will feel he has every chance of retaining his place at the heart of the England rearguard when the Group 6 leaders aim for five wins from five.
Further forward, Cole got a chance off the bench in the 15th minute with a hamstring injury to seventh-minute goalscorer Emile Heskey. However, the striker lasted only 20 minutes before making way himself with a muscle problem suffered in taking a shot on goal moments before. Capello has a potential striking headache for midweek with Cole's replacement Peter Crouch also picking up a late knock to his hip.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, the England manager confirmed that Cole would not be fit for the midweek encounter with the injury and would be returning to the club - a blow for the striker who had been lined up for his West Ham United return with this Saturday's visit of Sunderland. Cole has missed the last two club outings through suspension and it remains to be seen how long he will be on the sidelines.
Green was an unused replacement with Ben Foster getting the nod to replace usual No1 David James at the half-time interval. Also of note was the 109th cap won by David Beckham to surpass Bobby Moore's record for an outfield England player. Half-time substitute Beckham made his mark with the assist for man of the match Wayne Rooney's 70th-minute goal before Frank Lampard and then Rooney again wrapped things up.
