Harry Redknapp has urged Fabio Capello to enjoy his time as England manager because he fears the years after the Italian's exit will be bleak.

After a weekend watching FA Cup action at Villa Park and Kenilworth Road, where he was unfortunately denied an opportunity to watch Steven Gerrard because of the Liverpool skipper's calf injury, Capello will spend his first official day as Steve McClaren's successor on Monday in a series of meetings at Soho Square.

One of the key discussions will be about a strategy for the 2010 World Cup fixtures meeting in Zagreb on January 14, when Capello will need to thrash out a campaign which provides England with the best chance possible of emerging from a group including Ukraine, Belarus, Kazhakstan, Andorra and Euro 2008 nemesis Croatia.

On the back of a failure to reach next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland, Capello knows he must guide England to South Africa if his vast salary is to be deemed worthwhile.

Redknapp, considered by many as the most plausible 'home' candidate for the job, cannot see a problem achieving that aim. It is what comes afterwards he is most worried about.

"It is a great job for Capello to take because the best three or four years are to come," said the Portsmouth manager.

"We have still got some great players in this country but I do believe in 10 years' time, the job will be a lot harder than it is now because there will be fewer quality players.

"At the moment, you look at the England team and it is the best group of players we have had in many, many years.

"I do not look below that and see many young players which blow my brains out or feel there is some fantastic talent waiting to burst onto the scene from the under-21s."

Although few would argue with Redknapp's claim over the players currently at Capello's disposal, England's lack of strength in depth was horribly exposed during McClaren's ill-fated time in charge, particularly in the striking and goalkeeping departments.

Peter Crouch looked like emphasising the problems up front with a disappointing performance at Luton, although he eventually found the net in a 1-1 draw.

Capello will also take heart from the sight of Wayne Rooney contributing a pivotal 20-minute cameo to Manchester United's win at Aston Villa, while Michael Owen was fit enough to start for Newcastle at Stoke.

And he also has a few other options, with Gabriel Agbonlahor and David Bentley among the fresh faces who could be utilised during his first match in charge against Switzerland on February 6.

However, as he saw on his trip to the midlands, the goalkeeping dilemma remains huge, with Aston Villa's Scott Carson not doing much against Manchester United to convince anyone he is better than Paul Robinson, Robert Green and David James.

At 37, James is seen as a man of the past.

It certainly appeared to be McClaren's attitude given he initially axed the veteran keeper, only to bring him back at the start of this season and then not play him.

But Redknapp would have no hesitation in offering Capello a positive assessment of James' form should the 61-year-old call in at Portsmouth during his extensive getting-to-know-you campaign.

"I have never seen anyone as dedicated," Redknapp said after Pompey's FA Cup win over Ipswich.

"He made three saves against Ipswich no-one else would have done. He has got everything."

Capello's first squad is not due to be announced until the end of the month at the earliest.

Before then, the former Juventus, Real Madrid and AC Milan coach will have offered some indication about his preferred summer plans for England.

With no major tournament to play, England do have the option of embarking on a short tour to North America, Asia or even Australia.

However, plenty of Euro 2008 contenders have been in touch requesting friendlies, while a revival of the rivalry with Scotland at the end of May appeals to the FA commercial staff.