England coach Fabio Capello admits he is not looking forward to telling seven players in his provisional World Cup squad that they will not be going to South Africa.
Capello named 30 players in his preliminary party on Tuesday, with Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher included after being tempted out of international retirement.
Uncapped duo Michael Dawson and Adam Johnson are in the squad, while Capello must also decide whether to gamble on Gareth Barry's fitness and assess if Ledley King's knee can withstand the rigours of a World Cup campaign.
Before whittling down his squad to 23 names, Capello will monitor his World Cup hopefuls in friendlies against Mexico and Japan later this month, and in a training camp in Austria.
The Italian insists there are no guarantees about who will be in the squad and acknowledged that delivering the bad news to the unlucky seven is not a task that he will enjoy.
"The players have to understand my style, what I want, how I work," said Capello. "We have time to look at them all closely in Austria.
"It remains an open contest because I don't know yet my final 23. I have some doubts about some players and I must decide.
"I am concerned about fitness, freshness and injuries and this time in Austria is so important for me.
"June 1 will be decision day for the ones who will not go with me to South Africa. Waiting for two days after the Japan game is important to gauge knocks and injuries.
"After that I will tell the players personally. It will not be done on the plane on the way home and I will speak to them face to face.
"It is a difficult time and hard for any manager. I am not looking forward to it, especially as everyone wants to go to the World Cup."