Capello told the media he did not plan to start Rooney in any of the warm-up games before June’s tournament following the striker’s red card in Montenegro on Friday.
UEFA will decide on Thursday just whether Rooney serves a one game ban or longer but Capello stressed that he would not necessarily walk back into the side whatever the suspension.
“I need to find the solution for the first game, or two games, that Rooney will not play,” Capello told reporters.
“And if we find that solution, he needs to work to return to the first 11.
“You know me. Sometimes I make mistakes but I try to select the best players, in the best moment of form. There were two I did not select for this game who are doing really well.
“I saw the game that Jermain Defoe played against Arsenal. He did really well. He ran a lot and pressed a lot. Daniel Sturridge is the same.”
Capello continued: “I could leave Rooney out. If the others are good they will play. In my life as a manager I have put on the bench a lot of good players.”