Battered England regroup to face Slovenia

RUSTENBURG - Even by the standards of England, these have been an extraordinary few days, but with the attempted coup against coach Fabio Capello crushed, they can now get on with saving their World Cup football campaign.

Dismal draws against the United States and Algeria have left England needing a win against Slovenia Wednesday to be sure of making it through to the last 16, and have fostered a sense of frustration that led to former captain John Terry’s talk of mutiny.

With general grumbling about a restrictive regime, boredom and Capello’s refusal to name his starting 11 more than two hours before kick-off, Terry promised confrontation at a team meeting, but was dissuaded from speaking when he realised few of the players backed his rebellion.

Capello has crushed the dissent with alarming force, calling Terry’s outburst “a big mistake.”

“Every time we have a meeting I ask the captain, problems? You want to say something? Never,” Capello told ITV.

“Then I read (on Monday) that John Terry said this. I don’t understand why he doesn’t speak with me.”

Midfielder Frank Lampard insisted Capello will inspire his side Wednesday.

“He’s a strong manager and his style is very strong,” he said, “but we respect him very much, have faith in him and have faith we’ll win on Wednesday.”

Terry has been left an isolated figure, forced into a grovelling apology Tuesday.

There may be repercussions for his international career after the World Cup, but for now pragmatism reigns and, with Ledley King injured and Jamie Carragher suspended, Terry will start alongside Matthew Upson in the centre of England’s defence.

There could be tactical changes elsewhere, though, with Joe Cole, as Terry said, offering the possibility of greater creativity.

If he were to come in, striker Emile Heskey would presumably be the man to step down, but given the way US striker Jozy Altidore outmuscled Slovenia’s defence Friday, Capello may decide to give his physically imposing target-man another chance.

That said, Marko Suler, the defender Altidore overpowered is likely to miss out with a rib injury, and will be replaced by Matej Mavric.

Forward Zlatko Dedic has recovered from a hamstring injury, but is unlikely to replace Zlatko Ljubijankic, who scored against the US, as Slovenia need a draw to be assured of advancing.

“We all know that England is a really good team with big players in their squad, but we are not thinking too much about England - we will concentrate on ourselves and the way we want to play,” said Slovenia captain Robert Koren.

“The first game, England versus the USA, England played okay, we saw some good things and bad things, and it was the same in the second game against Algeria.

England didn’t show the football we expected, but we all need to know that England will be ready,” said Koren.