Fabio Capello said squad numbers "mean nothing" as he gave his first press conference since arriving at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and ahead of the news that captain Rio Ferdinand had been ruled out with a knee injury.
Speaking at the England base in Rustenburg, Capello spoke for about 15 minutes about the first two days of preparation for the finals, which get under way next week. Earlier on Friday, the England manager oversaw the first training session in South Africa with Robert Green and Matthew Upson both playing a full part.
Green had been handed the No12 shirt earlier this week, fuelling speculation that David James, who has the No1, would get the starting job against the United States on Saturday week. However, Capello rejected the suggestion that the shirt numbers would have any bearing while James is also nursing a slight knee issue of his own after the long flight from England.
Academy graduate Ferdinand's withdrawal - with Michael Dawson heading out to replace him - could turn the spotlight on Upson, with the Hammers stopper having filled in for the Three Lions skipper during qualifying. John Terry is expected to occupy the other central defensive berth, with Ledley King and Jamie Carragher thought to be Upson's main rivals behind the first-choice duo.