We can reach final, says bullish Capello

World Cup Group C

Capello confirmed midfielder Gareth Barry will be among the England substitutes after recovering from the ankle injury he suffered on duty with Manchester City towards the end of last season.

The Italian was in a confident mood ahead of the meeting with Bob Bradley’s side.

He said: “England are ready for this match. The first game is always hard because expectation levels are really big.

“But we have been here eight days, training has gone very well and we are confident.

“All the players are ready to play and focused to play. I hope tomorrow will be a really good moment for us.

“The challenge is to win. We have to win, no more.

“We are happy, the confidence of the fans is really big, because of the results during qualification.

“We know the expectation levels of the fans is really good. But I am sure the team can reach the final.

“I genuinely believe we have a squad that can make it to the final.”

Capello confirmed he knows his starting line-up for tonight’s match but will not reveal it to the players until two hours before kick-off.

He said: “I will not tell the players who is playing until two hours before the game, which is what I always do.

“The reason I do that is because if you name the side overnight and then someone is injured, it is not easy to recall the other player who was not originally picked.

“What I am looking for is the same spirit that England showed in qualification games for the World Cup. I want us to be really compact on the pitch.

“These players are physically fine and their minds are very focused on this game coming up. They have a lot of desire and appetite to do well.

“The players here are the best English players. I am confident.”

Barry has convinced Capello he is fit enough to be among the substitutes against the United States.

The former Aston Villa midfielder’s ankle problem, sustained against Tottenham on May 5, had initially threatened his hopes of going to South Africa.

But Capello said: “He has been training normally for three days, training hard, and he will be on the bench.”

And Capello has warned Wayne Rooney to keep his discipline and show respect to referees during the World Cup.

Rooney was sent off during the quarter-final against Portugal in Germany four years ago.

The 24-year-old also showed signs of losing his cool during the practice match against Platinum Stars on Monday and was booked for dissent.

Capello has spoken to the Manchester United striker and wants Rooney to behave in the manner he did during the qualifying campaign.

The Italian said: “Wayne Rooney played all the qualifying games for the World Cup and had no problems with the referees.

“I hope we see the same Rooney during the World Cup.

“I have spoken with him but Rooney is a fantastic player because he wants to win.

“The hunger in him is very strong to win. But you have to be careful every time and also in this World Cup you have to be careful and respect the referees.”

USA coach Bob Bradley is looking forward to the challenge of facing Capello’s men.

“Whenever we’re playing we do a good job of knowing what our opponents are all about.

” We respect our opponent. We’ve played against top teams in the last four years and we know what that’s like. So England fits all that.

“They’re a top team. We know their players well. We respect them, but we’re excited about playing them. We look forward to it.’’

Jozy Altidore played Hull City in the Premier League last season and says facing England to start the World Cup represents a big challenge.

“I think it’ll be tough but at the same time great because I think the first game always sets the tone for the rest of the tournament,’’ said Altidore.

“So it’ll give us a real good opportunity to put us either in the driver’s seat or a put us in a good place going into the next game for sure.’’