Capello strives to unite team after John Terry crisis

There are only 100 days to the World Cup and tomorrow England play their final match before Capello names his provisional squad for the finals.

Preparations for the Egypt clash have been far from ideal with John Terry stripped of the captaincy following revelations of his affair with the ex-girlfriend of former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Last Thursday Bridge ruled himself out of contention for the World Cup, although Capello reiterated today the door remained open for the Manchester City left-back.

To ensure the controversy does not damage the squad the England manager has held a meeting with the players at their headquarters.

"I spoke with the players," he said. "You have to recreate the group, the spirit of the team. Our training had to be really focused today, after a four-month break since the last game. Now, I'm really happy because I saw the same thing as I did at the end of November."

Although there is little hope of Terry regaining the armband, Capello has urged the centre-half to continue behaving "like a captain" in the dressing room.

"The next captain will be Rio Ferdinand when he is here, and it will be Steven Gerrard tomorrow," said the Italian. "John Terry knows he won't be captain. He is like the other players. He trained well today and he will be the same player in the dressing room.

"I spoke with him and told him he had to do the same things, like a captain. I'm not worried about his recent form. I saw Chelsea's matches against Inter Milan and Manchester City, and he played normal games."

There have been suggestions that Terry may be booed by the Wembley crowd for his off-field behaviour.

Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard have suffered at the hands of England fans in recent years but both Capello and Gerrard urged them to back Terry.

Capello said: "The fans have to support us in every moment and I hope that they will help us tomorrow."

Gerrard, who has been promoted from vice-captain because Ferdinand is sidelined by a back problem, said: "I hope that [the booing] is not the case. The fans have been fantastic to us but it's time to move on. We're all focused on the World Cup."