John Terry

Fabio Capello’s men beat Platinum Stars 3-0 in their final warm-up game on Monday in an uninspiring performance, on the back of unconvincing wins against Mexico and Japan.

Jermain Defoe, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney scored the goals against the Stars and Terry believes that the run-out served its purpose as it helped the players get more used to conditions they will experience in the upcoming showpiece.

“We had one to two weeks off and you lose a bit of sharpness, but that’s improving,” Terry said. “The altitude has been more of surprise to me. Your mouth is really dry.

“We train at quite a high level anyway, coming here was another 150m higher again and we certainly felt that.

“We’re looking good. We needed this game to get used to the flight of the ball and the altitude.”

Fabio Capello’s men get their campaign underway on Saturday against the USA and are 4/9 favourites in the match betting to open up with a win, with the Americans available at 13/2 and the draw at 16/5.

The players will of course hope that their training has had the desired effect as the opening match is taking place at altitude in Rustenburg, at a venue 1403m above sea level, and if they make it to the quarter-finals, they will have to play again in thin, dry air.

Terry has also spoken out about the ‘Jabulani’ ball that is to be used in the World Cup and seems to have joined the ranks of dissenters, which already includes Spain’s Iker Casillas and Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon, while David James said the new ball was ‘dreadful’.

“It’s important we put in a lot of crosses in the box and get a lot of shots in from outside the box,” said Terry. “It’s difficult for the keepers.”

Rio Ferdinand has of course been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury so the other centre-back position alongside Terry has not been confirmed, although Ledley King was given the nod by Capello to start in Monday’s friendly.

It was the first time the pair had started in an international game, although they played together as youngsters for Sunday league side Senrab, and the Chelsea captain believes the partnership can work at the highest level.

“It was important we got 45 minutes together in a real competitive game with Ledley,” Terry said.

“We had a good understanding. We used to play together at Senrab many years ago. The understanding has always been there and we’ve worked a few times in training.”

England also face Algeria and Slovenia in Group C and a nine-point accumulation in the group stages in the England specials markets is favourite at 7/4, with a seven-point total next best at 15/8.

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