Since then Defoe has only been included in the first XI for friendly internationals, although he came off the bench to score three times in qualifiers.

But Capello has preferred him to Heskey in Port Elizabeth today in making three changes – one enforced – from the side which shared a goalless draw with Algeria.

James Milner, who started the opening game against the United States on the left flank, has been recalled on the right side of midfield in place of Aaron Lennon.

The Aston Villa player had been taken off after half an hour against the USA after being unwell in the build-up to the game.

Matthew Upson comes in at centre-back in place of Jamie Carragher who was servicing a one-match ban for collecting two yellow cards.

It meant John Terry has started with a different partner alongside him for the fourth successive game after Rio Ferdinand (Japan), Ledley King (USA) and Carragher (Algeria).

Slovenia, who have collected four points from their opening two games, are without striker Nejc Pecnik who was sidelined with an ankle injury.

Slovenia: Samir Handanovic, Brecko, Suler, Cesar, Jokic, Birsa, Koren, Radosavljevic, Kirm, Ljubijankic, Novakovic.

Subs: Jasmin Handanovic, Dzinic, Ilic, Pecnik, Dedic, Krhin, Filekovic, Komac, Stevanovic, Mavric, Matavz, Seliga.

England: James, Johnson, Upson, Terry, Ashley Cole, Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Milner, Rooney, Defoe.

Subs: Green, Dawson, Lennon, Crouch, Joe Cole, Warnock, Wright-Phillips, Carragher, King, Heskey, Carrick, Hart.

Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany).