The sheer scale of absentees Fabio Capello had to cope with against Brazil must make the Italian fearful for next summer.
David Beckham's withdrawal was due to his commitment to Los Angeles Galaxy, the rest were down to injury.
Here we look at the men who will concern Capello most as the clock ticks down to South Africa 2010.
DAVID JAMES - Not started for eight games, although he did come on as substitute for Robert Green after the West Ham keeper had been sent off in the Ukraine. Suffers from various problems. Is time starting to catch up with the 39-year-old?
RIO FERDINAND - Played just four matches out of 11 over the last calendar year and currently sidelined for an indefinite period with a calf injury that might be related to his lower back. World-class on top form, Graham Taylor claims "his legs have gone".
JOHN TERRY - Does not miss many games for England but pulled out last night with an Achilles injury. However, his body has been battered for so many years and gone through so much pain, eventually it might say enough.
THEO WALCOTT - Played just twice for his country since dislocating his shoulder prior to that Germany game in November. He needs to get some games under his belt on a regular basis for Arsenal before nagging doubts about his long-term fitness go away.
STEVEN GERRARD - Not let England down. But hurt his groin in the Ukraine and is yet to fully recover. He really must be fit for England to stand a chance next summer, so Rafael Benitez's safety-first approach is the right one to adopt.
EMILE HESKEY - England's best performances tend to come when he is in the side but too often, his fragile body cannot be trusted. Did feature five times in six games prior to being left out against Belarus but had been out for four before that.
JOE COLE - England's Brazilian according to Wayne Rooney. Not played since that magical night against Croatia in Zagreb, after which he ruptured his cruciate. Now featuring again for Chelsea, it is only a matter of time before he is pulling on the Three Lions again.
OWEN HARGREAVES - Was part of Capello's first three squads, so the Italian knows what he is capable of. Still not made his comeback after major surgery on both knees. It would be amazing if he could get back to where he was. But what a boost it would be for England.
LEDLEY KING - If only King did not have that major knee problem. Capello was desperate to see what he could do and had him in his squad for the Slovakia friendly in March, only to release him when it was established he could not train.
