Lack of recent match practice for both men was a fairly routine explanation why those calls were not made. It also seems Capello’s formation, which proved so successful against a Slovakian side that represented an identikit of what Ukraine will offer, is sacrosanct as well.
"I am not going to change the style," he said.
"It will be the same as Slovakia, with (Wayne) Rooney and (Steven) Gerrard in the same positions, because the result was very good.
"During the game it is possible we will make some changes but we have enough options."
Although Heskey ended a six- year international drought with the opener last Saturday, it is the Aston Villa man’s ability to get the best out of Rooney and Gerrard that earns him his place.
While Crouch has a better scoring record, his link-up play is not of the same standard, which is presumably why Capello has resisted the temptation to pick him to start a game during his 15-month tenure.
At least he has Rooney, whose brace at the weekend took his tally to seven goals in four games.
His 50th cap will come tonight, an amazing achievement for someone of such tender years. Proof, if it were needed, that Sir Alex Ferguson’s never previously disclosed reservations about the £27million he spent to get Rooney from Everton in 2004 has turned out to be an astute investment.
"Rooney is one of the best players in the world," said Capello.
"He never played for the under-21s. He jumped. Only the extra special players can do that. I remember when Sir Alex Ferguson bought him, I saw him at a UEFA meeting in Nyon. He said ‘Fabio, I am crazy. I have just spent an awful lot of money on a very young player’.
"Now he is happy because he spent a lot of money on a very important player."
Given the 33-year-old’s crossing ability, it was perhaps no surprise Capello threw David Beckham’s name in as a possible starter tomorrow, although Aaron Lennon is expected to fill the right-sided berth despite the fact Shaun Wright-Phillips is fit.
Also available is Rio Ferdinand, who is expected to partner John Terry in central defence for the first time since the win in Croatia last September.
Having established themselves as clear favourites to qualify for South Africa automatically, England will not want to falter against the only other unbeaten team in the group.
Capello expects the Ukraine to play exclusively on the counter-attack, with Andriy Shevchenko the obvious threat despite his diminishing powers.
"I know Shevchenko very well," he said.
"He is a fantastic striker. He was with me at AC Milan and scored a lot of goals. He also scored against me when I was at Roma.
"He has not played a lot this season but he is very dangerous.
