Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole all featured as England beat Slovenia 2-1 at Wembley before the vital 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Croatia on Wednesday
Green and Upson both started Saturday's friendly, while Cole came on as an 80th-minute substitute as a 31st-minute Frank Lampard penalty was added to by Jermain Defoe's clinical strike on 63 minutes. Zlatan Ljubljankic pulled one back late on which Green, who played the whole match, could do nothing about but it was too little, too late for the visitors.
The England No1 was involved straight away and played a key role in stopping the visitors taking the lead in the seventh minute when he just got a fingertip to the ball to force Aleksander Radosavlejevic wide when the forward burst through. After some composed kicking, Green was called in to more serious action in the 57th minute when he showed bravery to punch a dangerous free-kick clear when under pressure.
Upson played just over an hour before being replaced by Joleon Lescott and looked assured throughout. As well as a couple of key blocks at the back, the West Ham United captain was a threat at the other end and came to within inches of converting a James Milner centre just after the interval.
Ljubljankic had the last word with his consolation to deny Green a clean sheet on his fourth consecutive international start but Cole was also a threat at the other end. His late arrival limited his chances but he still managed to force his way through with two minutes to play and get a shot away.
All three West Ham players will hope to stay involved for the Croatia contest in midweek. Upson, 30, has 17 appearances while Cole has played five times at senior level. Capello's team have won their first seven fixtures in UEFA qualifying and an eighth will make certain of a place at the World Cup finals next summer in South Africa.