• World Cup

Defoe set to partner Rooney against Slovenia

Jermain Defoe is set to start England's do or die Group C clash against Slovenia after Fabio Capello paired the striker with Wayne Rooney in a crucial training session. Joe Cole and James Milner are also fighting for a starting berth ahead of Aaron Lennon.

England coach Capello is set to ring his biggest changes of the World Cup as Lennon and Emile Heskey are dropped to make way for fresh faces, with captain Steven Gerrard expected to be given more license to attack.

Capello is turning to Plan B in an effort to improve his side's goal threat and is hoping the new line-up will fire England into the second round with victory over Slovenia.

It appears that the Italian has taken on board the opinions of the players, but there is little doubt he made up his own mind, with no player power involved in Capello's remarkable u-turn on tactics and selection.

All the indications are that Capello will play Rooney in an advanced role with Defoe supporting him, which means the misfiring Heskey is discarded.

Either Milner or Cole will play on the right with the ineffectual Lennon axed, although nothing has officially been confirmed yet.

A source inside the England camp informed Soccernet that this is the most likely formation as Capello worked on the new team line-up and personnel in a vital training session in Rustenburg on Tuesday.

"All the nonsense about the players not knowing the team until two hours before the match - the players know what the team is likely to be," the source said. "Anyone watching this training session should have a fair idea of what Fabio has in mind, certainly the players do.

"Fabio used Milner and also Joe Cole on the right side in the training session, Defoe partnered Rooney up front, and it is clear that Gerrard will be given more freedom to attack.

"The key is to unlock the best from Rooney and with four attacking players to support him, the manager is giving this new look England every opportunity to come good and score goals in the critical final match, which everyone knows England must win."

The only enforced change is Matthew Upson, who will step in to partner John Terry as a replacement for the suspended Jamie Carragher.

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