The 21-year-old injured a hamstring in his side's 1-2 Premier League defeat at Fulham on Sunday and was immediately ruled out of contention for tomorrow's friendly against Switzerland at Wembley.

His withdrawal opened up a place for Jermain Defoe, who marked his transfer deadline move from Tottenham to Portsmouth with a debut goal for Pompey in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

It is understood that Capello has told Defoe that being a first-choice striker at his new club has put him right into the reckoning for international consideration.

Sunday turned out to be a sharp introduction for Capello in the difficulties of managing the England team as Agbonlahor's injury left the coach with just three fit strikers - Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch.

Emile Heskey also pulled out through injury on Saturday.

Agbonlahor was one of the younger players who was expected to play some role in the Switzerland game after being scouted by Capello.

However, having made a big impact at Villa in the early part of the season, he has not scored since the end of December and now faces a significant spell on the sidelines.

The Villa striker was forced to come off at half-time after he was fouled by Fulham's Simon Davies in the first half, reported The Guardian.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill said it was a huge blow for the player.

'He was fouled just before half-time and felt his hamstring. It is quite sore at the moment, and he went out just after the break to try to run it off and felt it - so we didn't take any chances,' he said.

'Of course he is disappointed. It was a boost for him to be called up and had been thoroughly deserved.'

Defoe, who has 26 England caps, was left out of Capello's initial 30-man squad, which was trimmed to 23 on Saturday.

Portsmouth admitted that the 25-year-old's transfer was initially only a loan deal.

'Defoe's transfer was done as an initial loan because of time constraints,' a Portsmouth spokesman was quoted as saying by the BBC.

'The full documents will be signed and registered this week. This is a standard method when you have little time.'

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE