Fabio Capello defended his sanity as he claimed England can
still emerge from their campaign in South Africa as world
champions.
Capello's team must beat Slovenia on a suspect pitch in Port
Elizabeth on Wednesday afternoon to be certain of reaching the
World Cup's last 16.
The England manager said: 'I was not crazy when I said my target
was the final of the World Cup, I showed this is a really good
squad. If - no, not if, when we win the game, then all the teams
have to fight against us.'
We can do it: Fabio Capello leads the rallying cry
to his England troops, insisting they can win the World
Cup
In his hour of need he will turn to Jermain Defoe. The Tottenham
striker is poised to replace Emile Heskey as partner to Wayne
Rooney in attack as Capello rings the changes in a bid to avoid an
embarrassing early exit.
Follow all the action as it
happens in Port Elizabeth with Sportsmail Online
as Fabio Capello's men look to
secure their place in the last 16, live at 3pm.
James Milner is the favourite to come in for Aaron Lennon on the
right, having trained in that role on Tuesday, and Joe Cole, the
man the senior players want, is also understood to be under
consideration.
Matthew Upson steps in for the suspended Jamie Carragher. In the
aftermath of Friday's flop against Algeria, John Terry tried to
lead the players in opposition to the manager, resulting in the
boss's backlash and Terry's subsequent apology in Sportsmail.
Jer-main man: Defoe looks set to start alongside
Wayne Rooney in England's attack
The unrest fuelled suggestions that Capello might quit if
England crashed out at this stage for the first time in more than
half a century but, when asked if he would be in a job after this
game, the Italian simply said: 'Thank you for the question' and
left.
England beat Slovenia 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley last year but
while Capello's team have dipped in form, their opponents have
flourished.
Stand and deliver: West Ham captain Matthew Upson
is ready to impress alongside John Terry in defence
Capello, who criticised his players for freezing with fear in
the goalless draw with Algeria, added: 'This is a play-off, like a
final in the Champions League, a semi-final in the Champions
League. That's the spirit we must have. We are in or out. We have
to win. We have not had good results but as you know my target was
to get to the final.'
The teams were prevented from training on the Port Elizabeth
pitch on Tuesday night because of FIFA concerns about the
surface.
'It's not so good but that's not an excuse,' added Capello.
