England's World Cup flops are back on home soil and Fabio Capello, who wants to stay, is already thinking about the next generation of stars.
The players touched down at London's Heathrow airport at around 6.20am.
There were glum faces and few smiles as David Beckham led the team off the plane, with Jamie Carragher and Michael Carrick just behind him.
An entourage of players' wives, girlfriends and children followed them onto the tarmac.
Now Capello must wait to see whether the Football Association want him to remain in charge and, if they do, he knows which players he will turn to.
Although not all those identified will be called up for the friendly against Hungary at Wembley on August 11, they are the men Capello feels England should build their future on.
"Jack Wilshere is an interesting player, who is very good," said the Italian.
"Kieran Gibbs is another. I hope some good young players will be okay in the next six months."
The chances are Gibbs would have been in South Africa had it not been for the broken metatarsal he suffered in November that ruled him out of the Arsenal first-team picture for the rest of the season.
Manchester City's Adam Johnson, plus the more experienced Gabriel Agbonlahor can expect to be involved against Hungary, as can another Arsenal man, Theo Walcott, surprisingly axed from Capello's 30-man provisional squad.
Michael Dawson, who went to South Africa but did not feature in a competitive game, also got a name check, while in addition, Capello mentioned two more players, one with no international experience, another with plenty.
"Bobby Zamora is not young and was injured this time but he is a player we have spoken about," said Capello.
"Another player we hope that will be fit is Owen Hargreaves. He did not play at all last season."
