Capello goes with full-strength side

Capello goes with full-strength side

Fabio Capello has vowed to go all out for a ninth consecutive World Cup qualifying win in the game against Ukraine.

England have already sealed qualification for the finals in South Africa next summer and Capello could have used the match to assess the form of fringe players or experiment with the side's formation.

Instead, though, the Italian intends to treat the match exactly the same as the previous eight.

"For me this is not a friendly game. It is one of the games for World Cup qualifying and it will be very important.

"I have spoken with the players and said that we have to play this like the other games we have played.

"For the result tomorrow I will choose the best first XI.

"I always decide on the players to win the game and tomorrow will be the same."

Rio Ferdinand is back in the squad after missing the last few England get togethers with back and thigh injuries and Capello is delighted to have him back.

"I'm happy for Rio because at the start of the season he has had some problems. I spoke with him and he is okay, fit to play.

"I think a player like Rio is always good."

Ferdinand insists he is fully fit again and is confident his injury problems are behind him.

He said: "It's been frustrating over the past few months having to miss games for my club and country and, to be able to be fit for selection, I'm delighted.

"My back hasn't been a problem since last season but the day before the season started I pulled my thigh. Touch wood my back's got a clean bill of health now, it's not a concern."

Ferdinand's last game for England was in the home qualifier against Ukraine, and he is expecting a tough test in Dnipropetrovsk on Saturday.

"Ukraine have got some very talented players," he continued. "Everyone knows about Andriy Shevchenko but we know we've got to perform well. They'll be wanting to win because they've still got a chance of qualifying."

England have earned plenty of plaudits for their performances in qualifying, raising hopes of a first major trophy in more than 40 years, but Ferdinand warned there is a long way to go.

He added: "Every aspect of our game needs to improve if we're going to win over in South Africa. Once we finish the qualifying games we can get serious about looking at who we're playing and things.

"Everybody knows places are up for grabs on the plane and we've all got to perform at every given moment."


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