Capello leaves door open for Bridge

(GSM) – Fabio Capello still hopes Wayne Bridge changes his mind and makes himself available for England.

Bridge recently made himself unavailable for England’s World Cup squad following allegations of an affair between his former partner Vanessa Perroncel and former England captain John Terry.

The Manchester City defender considered his position in the England squad as “untenable and potentially divisive” and he is not expected to return in time to make the World Cup squad.

Capello has always insisted the door remains open for Bridge and he hopes the left-back will reconsider his decision before the World Cup finals in June.

“Wayne Bridge was very wound up, very angry, when he made the decision,” Capello told the Spanish channel Gol Television. “There is still time for him to change his mind.”

Capello stripped Terry of the England captaincy in the wake of the scandal involving Bridge and the Italian says he had no choice but to take the armband off the Chelsea centre-half.

Asked if it was hard to take the armband off Terry, Capello replied: “No. Players and fans want the captain’s armband to be worn by an exemplary player.

“They want the captain to be an example for young children. What happened with Terry wasn’t good.

“I saw him at Wembley and we spoke about (the affair) and we spoke about football. It was fine. He understood (my decision).

“I explained to him that he could not continue as captain but I also told him that he would continue to be a leader on the pitch and an important player because a coach needs a player like that.”

Meanwhile, Capello has revealed he wants injured midfielder David Beckham to go to the World Cup to cheer on the rest of the squad.

Beckham’s Achilles injury has crushed his hopes of playing at a fourth World Cup, but Capello believes the Milan midfielder could still have a role to play in South Africa.

“He is an important player for us; he never caused any problems whatsoever,” noted Capello.

“Whether he played 10, 15 or 20 minutes, he always had the same attitude and he was always ready. He was an important man in the dressing room.

“In fact, we have asked David to be with us in South Africa; if he wants to, he can come with us.

“It depends on him and it depends on how he feels with his Achilles. But we know he can’t play now for six months. I hope he comes back fit afterwards.”