Fabio Capello will be without at least six of his first-choice players when England face Germany.

Midfielders Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have both withdrawn from the squad that will travel to Berlin for Wednesday's friendly due to injury.

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand had been left out of the squad after missing their side's Premier League game on Saturday, while Chelsea's Joe Cole and Ashley Cole and Wigan Athletic's Emile Heskey are also unfit.

The only good news for England boss Capello is that captain John Terry was declared fit enough to travel to Germany after a scan on his foot injury revealed nothing too serious.

And the absences of so many stars will give other players an opportunity to shine.

Tottenham striker Darren Bent is back in the squad for the first time since his agonising miss in the dying minutes of England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia at Wembley last November.

Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard and West Ham United's Scott Parker have been called in by Capello in place of Lampard, who has a rib injury, and Gerrard, who damaged a thigh muscle against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick said: "Germany versus England is a massive game I've always dreamed to be part of one day. It's not a hindrance at all. I'm here and I want to play."

England are on a four-match winning streak under Capello and are well on the way to qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

They have played Germany just once since their memorable 5-1 victory in Munich in 2001, with Germany winning 2-1 at Wembley in 2007.

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.