Europe´s top footballers target World Cup finals

Rejuvenated England, European kings Spain and defending champions Italy hope their young players can fire them closer to the 2010 World Cup finals on Saturday.

But former champions Germany and France, whose qualifying campaigns have yet to hit top gear, will be looking to the tried and trusted to spark them closer to South Africa.

England have enjoyed two wins from two games under new coach Fabio Capello, the last of which was an impressive 4-1 win in Croatia which propelled them to the top of Group Six and sent Arsenal teenager Theo Walcott's reputation into orbit.

The 19-year-old's hat-trick in Zagreb should make him a first choice in Saturday's clash with minnows Kazakhstan at Wembley and against Belarus in Minsk four days later.

“As a young player it's difficult to come in front of the media or a room full of senior internationals and start holding court, but he can do it,” said international teammate Rio Ferdinand.

Walcott is set to form a quicksilver partnership with Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, still only 22, and who grabbed the other goal in Croatia although England will probably be without skipper John Terry who has a back injury.

Spain, whose enthralling dedication to attack carried them to the Euro 2008 title, will again be looking to the fleet-footed talents of 21-year-old Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, 24, for the goals against Group Five whipping boys Estonia.

Spain have a maximum six points and have yet to concede a goal while the Baltic side have shipped 10 in their first two outings.

But Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque has warned his team not to get too complacent.

“Even when it comes to a national team that are European champions, staying static is not a good thing,” said the former Real Madrid coach.

Defending world champions Italy's preparations for their qualifiers against Bulgaria and Montenegro have been disrupted by injuries to key players, but coach Marcello Lippi remains confident that they can build on their opening two wins.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been ruled out with a back problem, while Juventus teammate, midfielder Mauro Camoranesi has a right thigh strain.

But Lippi has no fears over filling the gap left by Camoranesi, with either Udinese winger Simone Pepe or Villarreal's ex-Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi likely to benefit.

Lippi said: “Rossi is ready to play. He is quick, clever and complete. He can play as the main and support striker, out wide, in the middle and has experience from his time at Manchester United.”

“Pepe hugs the line, gives us space, covers, attacks, scores goals and is an alternative to Camoranesi.”

France, champions in 1998 and runners-up in 2006, travel to Romania lying in fourth place in Group Seven after losing to Austria in their opener before squeezing out a 2-1 win over Serbia.

Defeat on Saturday could cost coach Raymond Domenech his job with the faltering World Cup campaign coming in the wake of their humiliating Euro 2008.

But he has been boosted by the return of captain Patrick Vieira and Franck Ribery who missed the first two qualifiers.

Germany top Group Four with four points from two games but face a tricky home clash against Russia, who defeated Wales in their only qualifier so far, in Dortmund.

“If we make too many mistakes, we will be punished without mercy,” admitted Germany coach Joachim Loew whose side have hammered Liechtenstein 6-0 but also struggled to a 3-3 draw with Finland.

Midfield generals Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings are both back from injury.

Russia coach Guus Hiddink has injury problems with striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, defender Denis Kolodin and midfielder Dmitry Torbinsky all ruled out.

Pavlyuchenko has been Russia's key striker for the past 12 months, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over England in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier last October and netting three goals during Russia's run to the semi-finals.

There are 24 qualifiers in Europe on Saturday with other top clashes seeing Portugal travelling to Sweden in Group One while 2004 European champions Greece look for a third win in Group Two at home to Moldova.

In Group Nine, leaders Holland, who won their opener in Macedonia 2-1, welcome Iceland while Scotland entertain Norway.