Don't call me crazy, but... England CAN win the World Cup

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.'



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.

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.

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.

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