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John Terry today said the England players are struggling to focus on tomorrow's friendly against Slovenia at Wembley as next week's World Cup qualifier against Croatia casts a shadow over the team's preparations.
Fabio Capello's side can secure their passage from Group Six with victory over the team that infamously denied them the chance to compete at Euro 2008 when ending Steve McClaren's reign with a Wembley win in November 2007.
Although Terry, who was unavailable through injury that night, insists his team-mates are not out for revenge, he revealed that attention is split between the Croatia clash and the visit of Slovenia.
He said: "It's difficult not to think about it but the manager has emphasised the game tomorrow to get the best out of Wednesday. It was a disappointing night the last time they were here and that is in the back of our minds. But we don't go in with a revenge mentality. It's a chance to put things right where we left off last season."
Capello, however, refused to answer questions about Croatia and said only discussions about how to approach tomorrow's game were on the agenda.
"We haven't spoken about Croatia, we had a meeting on Thursday but we spoke about the game against Holland and the mistakes," said the Italian.
"Tonight we will speak about Slovenia. I will make six subsitutions like I did against Holland because it is a friendly game. I will pick the players who I think will be ready to play against Croatia but I am now only focused on tomorrow."
Capello has a fully fit squad to choose from after Terry recovered from a minor groin problem, while goalkeeper Ben Foster will return to the squad tomorrow after spending tonight in Manchester, where his partner is due to give birth.
Jermain Defoe's form continues to impress and Terry has backed the Tottenham striker to succeed should Capello call on him in the double-header.
Terry said: "The friendlies are so important for the players who don't play on a regular basis to get chances when others are injured or suspended. Jermain has looked very sharp from very early on this season. Long may his goalscoring continue for England, not for Tottenham though!"
Capello revealed he has not discussed Chelsea's 16-month transfer ban with the players but does not expect the situation to prove a distraction.
"All the players are focused on the next game," he added. "I didn't speak about what happened to Chelsea with them. This is not a problem for the players or the manager, it is a problem for the people who run the club."
