Fabio Capello's fears over David James' fitness

David James emerged last night as a huge World Cup worry for Fabio Capello as the Italian admitted he fears he will go to South Africa without the one goalkeeper he trusts.

Veteran Portsmouth stopper James was left out of the squad for Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Brazil in Qatar as he battles a long-standing knee problem.

James, who will be just a month shy of his 40th birthday at the end of next summer’s tournament, watched on television as Ben Foster’s hesitant kicking was followed by a penalty-conceding foul on Nilmar that would have reduced England to 10 players in a competitive game.

Foster’s lucky escape came just a month after Robert Green was sent off in Ukraine for a similar error, once again solidifying James’ status as Capello’s first choice gloveman.

But the England boss admitted for the first time that he is beginning to harbour doubts over whether the Portsmouth man will be fit enough to be named in the World Cup 23 that has to be selected by June 1.

And while James, who believes he rushed back to action for Portsmouth too early after keyhole surgery to clean out his problem right knee, is convinced he will be okay by the summer, Capello is not so sure.

Capello said: “We spoke with James and he needs more time to be really fit.

“Every time he plays, he needs to stay for treatment and he cannot play for two days after a game. We thought it would be best for him to stay home and train rather than come to Qatar.”

While James started Capello’s first 13 games, he has been hit by injuries since April, aggravating his knee injury when he came on after Green’s dismissal in Ukraine.

And the England boss warned: “If he is fit, he will be with us.  But if he can’t train for two days after a game we can’t take him to a tournament.

“No, no, no. We can’t, we can’t, we can’t. It has to be sorted out before then.

“I don’t know if he needs an operation but I do know he has some problems with his knee.

“If he is in the same situation in May, we will not choose him.We have to choose players who are all fit. He has to be fit to be selected.”

Capello has given caps to Foster, Green, Joe Hart and Scott Carson in addition to James’ 14 appearances, while Paul Robinson, Chris Kirkland and  Joe Lewis have been in squads without playing.

None of the rivals have made convincing cases to replace the 39-year-old as first-choice, but Capello’s admissions for the first time intensify the spotlight and pressure on James to get himself right for the World Cup or leave England looking exposed in a key position.