England v Algeria - Preview

17 June 2010 20:38

England reported a clean bill of health for their final training session ahead of Friday's World Cup clash with Algeria in Cape Town.

All 22 players available to head coach, Fabio Capello, were put through their paces by the Italian and his coaching staff. Central defender, Ledley King, already ruled out of the game with a groin problem, was the only absentee as he continued to undergo rehabilitation work at the team hotel.

Algeria have a doubt over Faouzi Chaouchi who is suffering from a knee injury, while striker Abdelkader Ghezzal is suspended after he was given his marching orders against Slovenia.

England need to improve on their display in the 1-1 draw against the United States in their opening game in Group C last Saturday if they are going to be a force in South Africa.

Last week Capello did not inform his side of who was playing until two hours before the game and again the Italian refused to be drawn.

He said: "Always (on) the day of the game, not the day before."

Having lost their first match to Slovenia last Sunday, Algeria are also in dire need of a result but they believe the weight of expectation on Capello's men can work in their favour.

"England are the team under pressure," said striker Ryad Boudebouz. "They are the ones who claimed that they came to win the World Cup."

Source: PA