Fabio Capello will take full responsibility for selecting the 23 players who will carry England's fortunes at the World Cup.Capello will name his squad on Tuesday, after giving a few of them, including Tom Huddlestone and Darren Bent, a chance to impress in the friendly against Japan in Graz.
He must also get the latest update on Gareth Barry, who is making encouraging progress in his recovery from an ankle injury but has been set a deadline of June 13 to be back in full training.
Then Capello will bring down the axe on seven players who still hope to be part of his squad for South Africa, unhappy at having to make the decision, but completely secure that the verdicts should be his and his alone.
"No. I won't talk to the senior players," he said.
"If I lose I want to know it has been because of my decisions."
The decisions Capello has to make involve an apparent choice between Joe Cole and Adam Johnson for a left-wing slot, another between Leighton Baines and Stephen Warnock to act as Ashley Cole's deputy at left-back and also whether room can be found for Bent amongst his attacking contingent.
Barry's injury creates another complexity, which is why Huddlestone will join Bent in the England starting line-up tomorrow as Capello tries to cram in as much knowledge as possible before reaching his decisive conclusions.
"I already know the players who have been with us during qualification very well," said the Italian.
"Here we have new players. For me these are the ones who it is most important to check.
"We need to know everything about what positions they take up on the pitch and what they do in key moments throughout the game."
As Capello named four members of his starting line-up - Aaron Lennon and David James were the others - the situation regarding Joe Cole is not so clear.
The Chelsea star was involved in six of Capello's first seven games, including that famous victory over Croatia in Zagreb that launched England towards South Africa.
However, he has been absent since and was not called upon against Mexico on Monday night, when Johnson was introduced for his debut.
Not that Capello was totally enthusiastic about the Manchester City youngster, who has made a big impression since his January move from Middlesbrough but apparently found an international bow at Wembley a whole new experience.
"I spoke with Adam Johnson this morning and asked him what happened," revealed Capello.
"He said it was difficult to breathe.
"To play for the national team at Wembley is not easy. The shirt is really heavy.
"For young players sometimes it is not too easy to play in the same way you do with your club.
"I know this feeling very well. It was the same for me when I was a player."
James is clearly at the other end of the age spectrum but, after 10 games when his only appearance was in the Ukraine as a substitute, the veteran keeper is drafted back into a goalkeeping conundrum Capello claims he already knows the answer to.
Fitness permitting, James' place on the plane bound for South Africa that will leave England on Wednesday night is already assured.
For Bent and Huddlestone, tomorrow represents a last chance to prise the door open.
Bent's opportunity appeared to have gone when he failed to make an impact against Brazil in November.
However, Capello wants to take five strikers to South Africa and must decide whether the Sunderland man is going to be one of them.
For Huddlestone, his opportunity as a holding midfield man appears to signal the end of Scott Parker's hopes of doing the job if Barry does not make it.
"I want to see Huddlestone," said Capello.
"The midfield is very important for the balance of the team.
"It is the position where the ball is the most often. The midfielders get more touches than anyone else and every pass is really important.
"For that reason we have to get the best players."
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