England preparations disrupted by Fifa

England have had to revise their training plans ahead of Wednesday's crucial World Cup clash with Slovenia after being told by FIFA they will not be able to train in the stadium the day before the game as planned.

Problems with the playing surface at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium have been apparent throughout the tournament and mindful of the need to protect it, FIFA have declared that neither side will have access to the pitch.

The world governing body has advised England to make alternative arrangements and although it has yet to be ratified, it appears the most likely course of events would be for Fabio Capello and his players to remain at their Rustenburg base in the morning and train there before catching a later flight to Port Elizabeth for the pre-match media engagements.

It is a handicap England could have done without so late in their preparation, although Capello might not be too bothered given it reduces the possibility of the Three Lions final session being watched by intruders, as has been the case before their previous Group C outings against the United States and Algeria.

It is widely anticipated Capello will set his team up in a significantly different way, with Wayne Rooney being used as a lone frontman, allowing for the introduction of Joe Cole.