World Cup 2010: Fabio Capello Confirms Matthew Upson Will Replace Jamie Carragher At Centre-Back For England Against Slovenia

Dawson set to remain on the bench...

England manager Fabio Capello has confirmed that Matthew Upson will partner John Terry in defence, during the Three Lions' final group game against Slovenia.

The former Real Madrid boss has seen his team fall well short of expectations so far at World Cup 2010, and they are now in real danger of bowing out of the tournament if things go wrong against Matjaz Kek's charges.

The injury blow to Ledley King in the opening game saw Jamie Carragher man the back-line following half-time, and it was later revealed that the Tottenham Hotspur centre-back had sustained a groin injury that ruled him out for three weeks.

In the meantime, the Liverpool defender was booked twice - once during the game against the USA, and again during the draw against Algeria - and will consequently miss the third and last group game.

Now the BBC reports that Capello has said he will start with Upson in the back-line, as Michael Dawson continues to grace the bench.

This makes it a difficult situation for the boss with regard to his defence, as his initial first-choice, Rio Ferdinand, was ruled out of the tournament through injury before first-team replacement King succumbed to his own injury problems. Now Carragher's suspension means that the fourth-choice centre-half will partner John Terry in the middle of the defence for the showdown against the Slovenians.