Ireland’s players will hardly want for distractions at their scenic and popular Sopot base in Poland next month but Glenn Whelan is happy the squad will be able to find a happy medium between work, rest and play on the Baltic coast.

The Football Association insist Fabio Capello will have the final say on who should captain England in this month’s Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales amid growing speculation John Terry could get the armband back.

Kevin Davies has vowed to shrug off the nerves and give it his best shot after being handed a surprise England call-up by Fabio Capello.

West Ham 1 Fulham 1

Man Utd 3 West Ham 0

Manchester United have revealed Rio Ferdinand may be fit for the opening game of the 2010/11 season against Newcastle despite reports he could face several months on the sidelines after suffering a knee ligament injury in the build-up to the World Cup.

The eyes of an entire continent are on Ghana as Africa’s last hope at the World Cup but the premise of being under pressure didn’t seem to exist for the Black Stars as they trained at the unprepossessing Mogwase Stadium near Rustenburg last night.

Ghana midfielder Andre Ayew has won the praise of his team-mates after the Black Stars booked a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

FABIO CAPELLO insisted hewould not resign after England’smiserable 4-1 defeat to Germany sent them out of the World Cup but such is the blame culture in English football that it may yet be impossible for the Italian to remain in charge for the European Championships, so disappointing was the nature of yesterday’s capitulation.

Steven Gerrard has admitted England's World Cup clash with Germany could define a career.

SO, on the eve of renewed battle with the old foe, the big question for England: is the glass half-full or half-empty?

THE moment the World Cup moves into the knockout stage a Germanic mind focuses almost immediately on a ruthless and relentless push for victory; an Englishman’s thoughts, it is becoming increasingly clear, drift instead to penalties.

JAPAN booked their place in the last 16 of the World Cup after outstanding first-half free-kicks from Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo sent them on their way to victory over Denmark in Rustenburg.

Denmark 1 Japan 3

Ledley King returned to the training ground this morning as he stepped up his recovery from a groin strain.

THE fitness of Nicklas Bendtner has been the major topic of discussion ahead of Denmark’s decisive World Cup encounter against Japan tomorrow, with Morten Olsen conceding his star striker is again doubtful.

GERMANY set up a mouthwatering last-16 clash with England as Mesut Ozil’s second-half strike proved the difference against Ghana at Soccer City last night.

Ghana 0 Germany 1

Mexico 0 Uruguay 1

Contrite defender John Terry was first out on the training ground this morning as England tried to refocus minds ahead of their must-win World Cup clash with Slovenia.

UNDER-PRESSURE Fabio Capello has admitted he may have a couple of unhappy campers at England’s Rustenburg base, but warned them: “You’re at the World Cup, not on holiday.”

FABIO CAPELLO has accused John Terry of making “a very big mistake” with his staggering attack on the England World Cup set-up.

MISSING the call to spot Thierry Henry’s handball made referee Martin Hansson cry and will likely prevent the Swedish referee taking charge of a match at this World Cup.

MEXICO coach Javier Aguirre has stressed the importance of winning tonight’s Group A match against Uruguay and insists his side will not settle for a draw that would take both teams through.

West Ham defender Matthew Upson will replace Jamie Carragher in England’s vital World Cup Group C game against Slovenia on Wednesday.

Midfielder Frank Lampard insists England and Chelsea team-mate John Terry spoke out because he wants to “hit things head-on”.

John Terry’s attempts to highlight growing discontent within the England squad at a clear-the-air meeting tonight appear to have been quashed by coach Fabio Capello.

DENMARK may have got the three points that put their World Cup campaign back on track, but defender Daniel Agger felt that was one of the few positives his side could take from their 2-1 victory over Cameroon.

Ghana 1 Australia 1

Ghana 1 Australia 1

David James has hinted at dissatisfaction in the England camp with Fabio Capello’s custom of only unveiling the team shortly before kick-off.

GHANA are not only going to beat Australia in Rustenburg tonight, they will become the first African nation to win the World Cup, according to Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi.

England 0 Algeria 0

Goalkeeper Robert Green paid the price for his blunder against the United States as he was replaced by David James for the World Cup meeting with Algeria in Cape Town.

Australia were today boosted by the news key man Tim Cahill will only miss one World Cup game following his sending-off against Germany.

Wayne Rooney has rejected suggestions that England played with “fear” during their draw with the United States in their World Cup opener.

Half the World Cup venues are now under police control after the local organising committee confirmed the force had stepped in at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg following strike action by workers for a private security firm.

GERMANY coach Joachim Low wants his players to forget their four-goal rout of Australia on Sunday night and begin concentrating on the next World Cup game against Serbia.

JAMIE CARRAGHER has backed England coach Fabio Capello to handle any increased pressure he may encounter after an unimpressive start to their World Cup bid.

Jamie Carragher has backed England coach Fabio Capello to handle any increased pressure he may encounter after an unimpressive start to their World Cup bid.

Frank Lampard admits it is now “crucial” England overcome Algeria on Friday after Robert Green’s blunder derailed their hopes of making a winning start to the World Cup.

NETHERLANDS coach Bert van Marwijk concedes there are “no secrets” between his team and opening World Cup opponents Denmark ahead of their clash in Johannesburg today.

ROBERT GREEN has apologised to the England players and supporters for his World Cup howler against the United States on Saturday.

England goalkeeper Robert Green took to the golf green today following his blunder against the USA.