Under the temporary command of Stuart Pearce, England's players on Monday began an uncertain buildup to the European Championship following Fabio Capello's resignation.
The sudden departure of the coach less than four months before a major tournament has created an air of uncertainty around the England squad, who take on the Netherlands on Wednesday in a friendly.
''The timing is not as ideal as you would want, changing manager so close to a major tournament,'' winger James Milner said. ''But we will go in as well prepared as we can be.''
How England performs on Wednesday could determine just how long Pearce holds onto the job.
Milner believes Pearce has the credentials to remain in charge through to Euro 2012, having played for the England under-21 coach at the junior European Championship.
''He is a great manager, was a great player, and in the two under-21 tournaments we were unlucky on both occasions,'' Milner said. ''We should have won at least one of them, but what I noticed was that in the tournaments I had under him, we went in very well prepared.
''He thinks about every aspect which could come up in a tournament, every eventuality. How we are going to have to play and how to plan for combating certain teams. That's the most important thing going into a tournament, you want to feel you are ready.''
Milner has been singled out as a potential captain by Pearce for Wednesday night.
''I think when you grow up as a kid you dream one day you might be England captain,'' the Manchester City player said. ''I've been lucky enough to play in a World Cup, so to be captain would be a great honor.''
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, however, would seem more likely to be selected as skipper.
''He is a great influence on players,'' Liverpool teammate Stewart Downing said. ''He drives teams on. If he is given the captaincy that is a good thing.''
