England return to training following meeting
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Your support makes all the difference.Fabio Capello began the delicate task of piecing England's shattered team spirit back together this morning ahead of Wednesday's do-or-die World Cup clash with Slovenia in Port Elizabeth.
Yesterday, former captain John Terry laid bare a series of grievances and personnel issues which he vowed to raise at a pre-planned team meeting with Capello last night.
Having named eight other senior players who were present during a discussion over a post-match beer following England's dismal draw with Algeria in Cape Town on Friday, it appeared Terry was speaking from a position of authority which undermined Capello at the same time.
However, it quickly became apparent that the other senior players were not impressed with Terry airing such grievances in public and Capello had taken an equally dim view.
It was quietly suggested to Terry from both team-mates and others inside the England camp that he should keep his mouth shut, which is exactly what happened.
The tension can hardly go away though and, with England needing victory to prevent an early exit from a tournament they had designs on winning, Capello is facing one of the biggest rebuilding jobs of his illustrious managerial career.
Terry did train this morning, thus avoiding the debacle that France became involved in yesterday when the players refused to practise in protest at the expulsion of the Chelsea defender's club team-mate Nicolas Anelka from the squad.
And he can only hope Capello is willing to forgive his insubordination.
With Ledley King injured and Jamie Carragher suspended for the Slovenia game, Capello faces a straight choice between Matthew Upson, who he has relegated to fifth choice central defender despite starting four qualifying games, all of which England won, to partner Terry or Michael Dawson, who is uncapped.
The only other injury doubt is Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, who suffered a slight ankle knock in training yesterday but is expected to be available for Wednesday's encounter.
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