Captain Terry ruled out
England coach Fabio Capello has confirmed captain John Terry will miss the World Cup qualifier with Kazakhstan at Wembley due to his back problem.
While the rest of the squad trained, Terry had more treatment and Capello admits he is unsure if Terry will be fit to face Belarus on Wednesday.
Rio Ferdinand takes over as skipper with Matthew Upson, Joleon Lescott and Wes Brown hoping to replace Terry.
Capello demands best yet
Fabio Capello has promised England will produce their best home performance of his time in charge against Kazakhstan.
The Italian has never seen Saturday's World Cup qualifying opponents on video before but is confident his players are ready to meet the challenge at Wembley.
He said: "We have to play with confidence and I am sure we will. It will be better than when we have played at Wembley before."
Rooney craves more caps
England striker Wayne Rooney has admitted he is disappointed not to have hit the 50-cap mark already.
Rooney will win his 47th cap in the World Cup qualifier with Kazakhstan and has not yet reached his 23rd birthday.
But the Manchester United frontman said: "I have missed games through suspension and injury when, if all had gone well, I might have had 60. I definitely feel I should have more."
Heskey there for Rooney
Emile Heskey hopes he can help bring the best out of strike partner Wayne Rooney in England's two World Cup qualifiers with Kazakhstan and Belarus.
The pair showed encouraging signs in England's stunning 4-1 victory over Croatia in Zagreb last month.
Heskey said: "You never actually know until you play with someone what the partnership is going to be like, but Wayne is a fantastic player."
Brown sees similarities
Wes Brown believes working with England coach Fabio Capello is just like playing for Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Manchester United defender has spent his entire club career hoping to catch Ferguson's eye, and realises Capello's standards are just as high.
He told the FA website: "They are very in control of themselves and know what they want from their teams. They tell the players exactly what they want."
Storck: Theo like Messi
Kazakhstan caretaker coach Bernd Storck has compared Theo Walcott to Lionel Messi ahead of England's World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Saturday.
The German saw Walcott put three past Croatia in September as England soared to the top of qualifying Group Six.
Storck said: "What I saw of Walcott was unbelievable. He's like Messi at that age, fast with a good technique. For England, the future is good with him."