Fabio Capello is standing by his pre-tournament prediction that England will reach the World Cup final, and insists preparations for today's crucial group game with Slovenia in at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth have not been affected by the simmering tensions within the camp.

England must beat Slovenia to be certain of a place in the knock-out stages of the tournament, with defeat guaranteed to end their interest in the competition after just three matches.

Draws against the United States and Algeria have done little to justify Capello's pre-World Cup optimism, but the coach insists his players remain capable of rediscovering the form they displayed during qualifying.

Capello will make changes this afternoon, with Matthew Upson certain to replace the suspended Jamie Carragher at the heart of defence and Jermain Defoe poised to replace the misfiring Emile Heskey in attack.

And while the stakes could hardly be higher, the Italian is confident his players will produce a performance to kick-start a hitherto unimpressive campaign.

"This group of players is really good," said Capello, who is expected to resist urgings to promote the unused Joe Cole into England's starting line-up.

"I was not crazy when I said my target is the final of the World Cup because I am sure this is a really good group.

"I think if - no not if - we WILL win this game, and afterwards, all the teams will have to fight against us.

"My target, as you know, was to go right to the final. It would not be a good result if we did not do that.

"Together, we made a good job during the qualifying. Now, we have not such a good moment, but I am sure (today) will be different."

Capello's serenity during last night's pre-match press conference was in marked contrast to the frenzy that has engulfed England's Royal Bafokeng training complex in the wake of John Terry's incendiary press conference last weekend.

The former England skipper appeared to challenge Capello's authority head on, only for the Italian to strike back and quash any suggestion of the players having an input into either the tactics or selection for today's game.

Terry is certain to start this afternoon and, while rumours of unhappiness in the camp persist, Capello insists his players are fully focused on the job in hand.

"John Terry is one of the most important players we have," he said. "But we should speak about the game, not ask questions about John Terry.

"I have a really good relationship with all the players. Every time I speak to the players, they follow what I say. The players are happy and have been training really well.

"But, as always, it is the result that is the most important thing. At the moment, the results are not so good. We didn't lose, but we didn't win either, so we are talking about different things.

"But it's normal to speak with the players and we are focused on the game. We have trained very well and we know that the game will be really, really important. It is of no importance to speak about just one player - it's not a problem. Our focus is the game."

As well as focusing on the tensions within the camp, much of the build up to today's game has honed in on the poor form of England's talisman Wayne Rooney.

Rooney was a shadow of his usual self during Friday's goalless draw against Algeria, with his post-match rant at the England supporters indicative of his troubled state of mind.

The striker will be asked to play in a slightly different role if Capello opts to leave Heskey on the bench this afternoon, but the England boss is confident he will rediscover his best form when it is needed most.

"I've spoken with Wayne Rooney a lot of times," he said. "He's an important player for us, just like Steven (Gerrard) is.

"He is one of the best players in the world. But sometimes the pressure is so big for important players. He's impressed in the last three days in training though. I hope and I'm sure he will play really well."

Both Capello and Gerrard have voiced concerns about the poor state of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium pitch, but with only a victory guaranteeing England's survival, this is not a time for excuses.

"This is a play-off, it is in or out," said Capello. "Only one result will do for us, and that is a victory.

"For me, this is like a final or semi-final of the Champions' League. This is the spirit we have to play in. From the first moment to the last, we have to play."