The 25-year-old was selected ahead of Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock and played the full 90 minutes of the 2-1 friendly win against Egypt.

Injury concerns elsewhere in the England defence have prompted Capello to coax Carragher back into the international fold.

The Liverpool centre-back, who won the last of his 34 caps against Brazil in May 2007, quit the England scene three years ago having grown frustrated at his lack of appearances under Sven Goran Eriksson and then Steve McClaren.

Although Carragher has repeatedly claimed he has no regrets, Capello never gave up hope that the 32-year-old would change his mind in an emergency.

And, with Joleon Lescott and Wes Brown major doubts after missing the back end of the season through injury, Rio Ferdinand only just recovered from a groin problem and Ledley King unable to train due to chronic knee trouble, that emergency has arrived.

Carragher’s imminent return arrives with the blessing of his club boss Rafael Benitez.

“Carra is always fit and I think he will be a very good option for England,” said the Spaniard. “I think he’ll be in the squad and I think it will be good for him.”