Capello confident England can ride out Terry storm

Fabio Capello is confident England’s World Cup preparations have not been significantly disrupted by the fallout from the near farcical events that led to John Terry being stripped of the captaincy.

Capello sacked Terry as the national team’s skipper last month following reports the Chelsea defender had an extra-marital affair with the ex-partner of international team-mate Wayne Bridge, who has subsequently decided to stop playing for England.

As a result, Steven Gerrard will be captaining the side in Wednesday’s friendly against Egypt and Capello has to choose between Leighton Baines and Stephen Warnock as a replacement for Bridge, who would normally have stepped in for the injured Ashley Cole at left-back.

The extent to which the Terry saga has had an impact on morale in England’s camp just 100 days from the start of the World Cup is hard to judge.

But Capello said he had been reassured by the attitude of the players in training.

“I spoke with the players and said they have to recreate the spirit of the team and train with focus,” Capello said. “I’m really happy because I saw the same thing as in November (in the friendly against Brazil in Doha).”

Capello said he was unconcerned about Terry possibly getting some stick from England’s own fans, given that his conduct has resulted in Bridge ending up on the sidelines.

“You have to understand that privately some players were not so good, but on the pitch it is different,” Capello said. “We wear the England shirt and it is really important they help us every moment. I hope that tomorrow the crowd help us and do not boo him.”

Having initially appeared to be impervious to events off the pitch, Terry has seen his form dip alarmingly for Chelsea in recent matches, but Capello said he had been impressed by the centrebacks approach at Arsenal’s training ground on the outskirts of London.

“He will be the same player in the dressing room,” Capello added. “I told him you have to do the same things as a captain.”

Despite that vote of confidence, Capello has no intention of reversing his decision to demote Terry. Rio Ferdinand has been appointed captain in his place but he is injured so Gerrard will have the armband against the African Nations Cup winners.

He reiterated however that Bridge was welcome to return to the England fold at any time.

“The door is always open and if Wayne Bridge wants to come back, the door is always open. Not only for him – for all the players. We are monitoring all the players.”

Capello, who expects Rooney to start after his knee injury, admits the whole tawdry affair has left him frustrated that he has to speak about off the field matters when he talks to his players and the press.

“I want to speak only about things that happen on the pitch, not outside the pitch and stadium,” he said. “I want to speak about the performance, the style we played and only about what really happened during the game.

“The private life is a big problem for some players and also for the club and then for me.

“It will be really important that the players have to be careful from now on.”

While Terry is unsure of his reception from England’s fans, Gerrard believes Wednesday’s match offers the ideal opportunity to show the rest of the world that the team is still completely united despite a potentially divisive month.

“Going on training and how the lads have been in the last couple of days they all seem focused looking forward on the game on Wednesday,” Gerrard said.

“The players have a responsibility to forget about what’s being written off the field and focus on what we can do on the pitch.

“We’ve done really well in qualification and I think Wednesday is a fantastic opportunity to show the fans and everyone around the world that we are still united and still a very strong team that has a good chance at the World Cup.”