Rocked by scandals, Capello’s England return to action

Fabio Capello will get a clear indication of how much damage has been done to his World Cup plans during a tumultuous month off the pitch when England face Egypt in Wednesday’s friendly at Wembley.

Capello has spent the last 48 hours at England’s training base assessing his squad’s morale following a series of scandals and injuries that threaten to derail his meticulous preparations for the finals in South Africa.

Since England were last in action against Brazil in November, Capello has had to axe John Terry as captain following the Chelsea defender’s alleged affair with Vanessa Perroncel, the former partner of international team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Terry could be in for a rough ride against the Africa Cup of Nations winners at Wembley if England fans feel the centre-back has let his country down.

As if that wasn’t enough to give Capello sleepless nights, he also had to watch first-choice left-back Ashley Cole, already sidelined for three months due to an ankle injury, split from his popstar wife Cheryl after a series of tawdry tabloid stories linking him to affairs with a string of women.

But his problems didn’t end there as Bridge opted to consign himself to international exile rather than face the unpalatable prospect of playing alongside Terry.

Throw in injuries to Rio Ferdinand, the man Capello had planned to name as his new captain, and right-back Glen Johnson, as well the poor form of Theo Walcott and Joe Cole, and all the Italian’s carefully laid plans suddenly look in danger of crumbling with England’s World Cup opener against the United States less than 100 days away.

The one shining light for Capello in the gloom enveloping his team is the form and atude of Wayne Rooney.

The Manchester United forward is enjoying the best moment of his life and continued his goal-scoring hot streak with the winner in Sunday’s League Cup final against Aston Villa.

It was Rooney’s 28th goal of the season and provided further reward for his wise decision to stay out of the spotlight as much as possible and enjoy the quiet life with his family.

Rooney knows better than most just how difficult it can be to grow up in public after a series of youthful indisrections were splashed over the front pages.

Now married and with a new baby to look after, Rooney is content to live life in the slow lane and his football has reached new heights.

Without naming names, Rooney admitted it is an approach that would benefit some of his team-mates.

“It’s difficult as a footballer. People look up to you. You are a role model whether you like it or not. You need to try to be aware of that and do your best on the pitch and do things well for the kids that see you,” he said.

“I think when I first joined Manchester United I used to go out to nightclubs and stuff but I very rarely go out to a nightclub now. That is something that has changed with age.

“I made the decision myself. I got into a few things I shouldn’t have and tried to change. Obviously I am settled at home now. It’s good.

“As I said before I am enjoying my life with my family. I spend a lot of time at home with them. That is helping me because when you are at home you are getting a lot more rest.”

If Rooney’s relaxed attitude to the Terry scandal is anything to go by, Capello should quickly be reassured that his presence in the squad won’t prove a divisive issue.

“John Terry is a great captain and a great leader and I’m sure whether he has got the armband or not he will still be a leader from now until the World Cup,” Rooney said.

“Of course we are cool with him. He is a great player. If we are going to win the World Cup we are going to need him there with us.

“I haven’t spoken to any of the players about what’s gone on. All I can tell you is since we met up on Sunday it has been no different.

“Everyone is the same as they normally are and the atmosphere is the same. The players are professional enough to do the job on the pitch and that is the main thing.”