Former England international Gareth Southgate believes his former Villa team-mate Gareth Barry should be a starter for coach Fabio Capello at the World Cup.

Manchester City midfielder Barry was sorely missed in England’s warm-up games against Mexico and Japan, when James Milner and Michael Carrick formed an unconvincing central axis that saw the team passed around at times.

Barry has been given extra time to get fit from an ankle injury, but his absence from the holding role in front of the defence only served to show how much England missed his calm authority and assured passing.

Southgate, who was once his captain and defensive partner at Villa, is hoping his country welcome him straight back into the team.

He said: “It’s amazing that having missed the game against Mexico through injury, his absence almost made his availability more important by default.

“That’s often the way – sometimes you become a better player by not playing in matches.

“We don’t have too many specialised holding midfielders, and I’m not even sure that’s his strength.

“But Gareth has become a key part of that team and a player like him allows the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard a little bit more freedom to go and play.”

With Barry ruled out of the start of the tournament with an ankle injury, Gerrard will resume central midfield duties with Lampard.

As England prepare for their opener against USA on Saturday week, the Liverpool midfielder has opened the lid on the “winning mentality” instilled into the England team by Capello during his two-and-a-half years in charge.

The Italian took over a side out of sorts after they had failed to qualify for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, but Gerrard noticed a change almost from the first time the new boss took command for the friendly international against Switzerland at Wembley in February 2008.

Now they will aim for World Cup glory this summer full of confidence after winning their qualifying group.

Gerrard said: “From when the manager first took over, there has been a change. I think every player has gone on record to say that it was a tough time to play for England a couple of years ago as there was pressure.

“The manager has given us a winning mentality and confidence.”

Gerrard, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Sunday, is refusing to look too far ahead but is confident England can top their initial group.

He said: “I think we can get out of the group as winners and then we take the last-16 challenges on.

“I do not really want to look any further ahead but we have a good mix of experience and fresh, talented youngsters.”

Gerrard and the remainder of the England squad flew into South Africa this morning nine days ahead of their group opener with the States.

The 23-man party had received the welcome news yesterday of Capello committing his future to England for the next two years through to the 2012 European Championships.

In Barry’s absence for at least the first two groups games, the talk has returned to whether Gerrard and Lampard can play together in the middle of the park.

But for former England striker Mark Hateley, there is no question of Capello facing a midfield dilemma – he would axe Lampard.

He said: “I’d play Gerrard linking up with Wayne Rooney and have Lampard waiting in the wings in case Steven doesn’t hit the ground running.”

For another former England star, Ian Wright, it is not a case of personnel more one of retaining possession that will be key to England’s chances in South Africa.

The Arsenal legend, who won 33 caps, was as disappointed as anyone as England struggled to keep the ball in the recent friendlies.

He said: “I want to see us keep the ball better and not give it away for the sake of giving it away, like we did against Mexico and Japan.

“We don’t want to be hitting long crossfield passes when they’re not on. Sometimes you don’t have to go anywhere with the ball but just keep it. People say that doesn’t suit us, but what’s the rush?

“We were at Wembley against Mexico and the opposition were there to try to beat us so we should have played around them a bit more. Let’s have a bit more cohesion, holding onto the ball and linking the play.

“How many times did we link the play when the ball went up and there were inter-field passes where we kept the ball? It didn’t happen.

“It was similar against Japan, but I accept these games are difficult for the players because nobody wants to get injured.”

Wright believes Capello’s men have to hit form straight away to keep an unforgiving public and media on side.

He said: “You need to hit the ground running because if you don’t, you get pressure straight away from the media and everyone is on your backs.

“It would be nice to go into a tournament playing well. At the moment, it feels nervy when we’ve got the ball but I think they will settle down once they find their World Cup rhythm.

“If we’re going to give the ball away we’re going to need an outlet where players can get behind defenders and get the ball into the box, especially if Peter Crouch is playing.

“We’re going to need players to get past people, because from what I’ve seen, we’re not going to be able to play through people.

“It’s too nervy.”