D-Day looms

FABIO Capello knows England have come a long way since his first game in charge against Switzerland in February 2008. Tomorrow he will begin to find out exactly how far.

The Three Lions tackle the United States in their World Cup opener in Rustenburg with their coach believing it is time to start roaring again.

“We have improved a lot since Switzerland,” said Capello.

“We found the spirit and we have found a different way of playing each game. But it is different here. It is not one game. For this reason we have to be focused all the time. We have to understand what we have to do in each game.”

Victory against the US would put them in pole position to finish top of a group that also contains Algeria and Slovenia, and therefore book a last–16 encounter in Rustenburg, where England are presently based.

Capello has already satisfied himself about a line–up which remains unknown to the wider world, and probably the players themselves but looks certain to include Robert Green in the problematic goalkeeping position.

“I have decided on my goalkeeper and I know the XI that will play on Saturday,” he said.