Former England skipper David Platt believes Fabio Capello would bring a winning mentality if he was to be confirmed as the new England manager.

The Football Association last night revealed discussions have been held with the Italian regarding the vacancy to succeed Steve McClaren.

Chief executive Brian Barwick and Sir Trevor Brooking met with the former AC Milan and Real Madrid coach, who flew out of Heathrow last night.

Further talks are expected but the meeting was described as "extremely positive and without any problems" by Adrian Bevington, the FA's director of communications.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Platt played for Bari, Juventus and Sampdoria in the early 1990s when Capello was leading AC Milan to three consecutive Champions League finals and four Scudettos in five seasons.

Platt believes the Italian would return the England teams to winning ways after they failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

"Most people have been mentioned - (Jose) Mourinho, Capello, (Luiz Felipe) Scolari, (Guus) Hiddink - but that shortlist could have been easily whittled down," said Platt. "And I think they are going - if they do go for Capello - for a winning manager.

"Respected, a great coach, he has won titles with four different clubs and actually won here with Roma, which if you speak to the Italian people they will say that is amazing, to wrestle the league title away from the 'biggies' of Inter, AC and Juve.

"Without any shadow of a doubt, he commands respect, his CV is there.

"It is a very difficult job but he is a very firm man, an honest man. He is a winning manager and I think that is what we need at this moment in time."

Capello returned to Italy last night to honour a prior commitment but the FA said talks will continue with the Italian's advisers.

It seems only the finer points of a contract expected to take in the entire 2010 World Cup qualifying programme need to be thrashed out.

Barwick and Brooking will then present their recommendation to the FA Board, and an official unveiling should take place early next week at the absolute latest and probably before.

With nine league titles on an impressive CV encompassing spells at Juventus, AC Milan and Real Madrid, 61-year-old Capello has proved his credentials at the very highest level.

His age and background also means he is far less susceptible to the lures of a European giant, as seems to have been the case with Mourinho, a point that would no doubt have been made quite forcefully by Sir Alex Ferguson in his meeting with Barwick and Brooking.

Ferguson may be a Scot but his Glaswegian brogue carries plenty of weight in the English game and in so forcefully commending the appointment of Capello - a view backed by that of Arsene Wenger - he virtually confirmed Capello's appointment.

Capello's first official task will be to head the FA delegation at a World Cup fixtures meeting due to take place in Zagreb in mid-January.

He will then discuss England's summer plans, which could yet include a meeting with Scotland at Wembley on May 28, before finalising the squad for his first game in charge against Switzerland at Wembley on February 6.