Capello to Give Weary Reds and Blues a Break

Fabio Capello has softened his hard line on players returning from the Champions League final. Eight of the Manchester United and Chelsea players who took part on Wednesday had been named in his squad but they will be treated sympathetically when they belatedly join up with the others this evening. After next Wednesday's friendly with the United States at Wembley they are expected to be excused the trip to play Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain on June 1.

The manager had been intent on using this extended spell to work with a 31-man squad in detail but he now acknowledges that the exercise is not worthwhile if some individuals are mentally and physically exhausted or hampered by injuries. With many players suffering from cramp on Wednesday, United and Chelsea looked on the verge of collapse after their packed program.

Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves, Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole and Frank Lampard will all be assessed today, although it is emphasized that the Football Association has the physios and backroom staff to aid the recovery of players.

The Trinidad and Tobago sports minister, Gary Hunt, is confident the England friendly will go ahead as planned despite a row stemming from the government's demand for 10% of the gate money (about £12,000) at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The T&T football federation threatened legal action after claiming this was not what had been agreed but there have now been discussions between Hunt, the TTFF's president, Oliver Camps, and its special adviser Jack Warner.

"The government has entered in talks with the TTFF with a position that we would like the game to go on," said Hunt. "They [the TTFF] are willing [to talk]. There is legal posturing but they are willing. That is the impression left with me today."