Monday date for Mexico friendly

17 March 2010 16:59

England's penultimate friendly before the World Cup, against Mexico at Wembley, will be played on Monday, May 24 at 8pm.

Fabio Capello had hoped FIFA would relax their rule on when warm-up games could be played to allow the match to take place 24 hours early.

However, the FA have now confirmed a Monday fixture for England's last home game before departure for South Africa.

The game has been arranged to provide England with some opposition from the CONCACAF region ahead of their opening Group C encounter with the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.

And, following Tuesday night's result at Stamford Bridge, Capello could have all his Chelsea contingent available.

England are due to depart for the first of two training camps in Austria on May 17, but any players involved in the Champions League final will not join up for at least another week.

That showpiece in Madrid will not now involve John Terry, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole or Ashley Cole following Chelsea's demise at the hands of Inter Milan.

They could still be involved in the FA Cup final on May 15, although Capello would still have them available for the bulk of his Austrian get-together.

Source: PA