England will require a new captain for Tuesday's friendly against Ghana after John Terry was among six players released from the squad.
Fabio Capello reinstated Terry as skipper last week and the defender led England to a 2-0 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Wales on Saturday.
However, Terry will not be involved in the game against Ghana at Wembley after being allowed to return to his club Chelsea.
Team-mates Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have also been released from the squad ahead of Chelsea's upcoming UEFA Champions League tie against Manchester United.
Red Devils striker Wayne Rooney and Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson, who are also in Champions League action next month, have also returned to their respective clubs.
Dawson's Spurs colleagues Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon, however, remain in the squad after playing no part against Wales.
Aston Villa's on-loan full-back Kyle Walker will also miss the Ghana friendly after confirming on his Twitter feed that he is carrying a slight injury.
The decision to release Terry from the squad, along with Cole, Lampard and Rooney, will leave Capello short on options for the captaincy against Ghana.
Gareth Barry has previously been passed the armband during games, but he was not in the starting line-up for Saturday's victory at the Millennium Stadium.
The Manchester City midfielder would appear the likely candidate to skipper England on Tuesday, but there could also be a clamour for Arsenal teenager Jack Wilshere to be given the job.