England captain John Terry has issued a rallying call ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Andorra, vowing to win back the support of the country.

Although Andorra are currently ranked 186th in the world, Terry is well aware they held Steve McClaren's side until half-time when they last met.

Supporters famously turned on McClaren and the mood remained hostile when England failed to qualify for Euro 2008 - but Terry feels it is a fresh start under Fabio Capello.

The Chelsea defender is looking for a morale-boosting performance to lift spirits ahead of the clash against Croatia in Zagreb on Wednesday that could define their campaign to reach the 2010 World Cup.

"It's about the result for me, I'll take three points, whether it is 2-0, 3-0," Terry said.

"Maybe the fans don't want to hear that. Hopefully it will be more than that, we are not going out there to win 1-0 or 2-0 that's for sure.

"It's all about three points and moving forward into the Croatia game."

Terry accepts that is time for England to deliver after five friendlies under Capello.

"We've had the friendlies before, it all starts now," he said. "Performances and results are judged on this game and the matches after that.

"We've had a lot of preparation, different players, tactics and styles of play. It's now we're going to be judged.

"We want to get the ball rolling and go again. I've spoken before about the disappointment of not reaching the Euros and this is a fresh start.

"Not qualifying is still burning in a lot of the players. We all have another chance to come into the campaign and change things."

Fan support

Terry has urged fans to get behind England at the Olympic Stadium at Montjuic.

He added: "As players we understand and take the responsibility of the last two years of disappointments. We understand the fans' frustration.

"After 20 minutes last time the fans did not get their goal and they went against us. Stick with us, it's a new campaign, it's a fresh start and we go again. We can't dwell on the past. We have to move forward and move forward together.

"We need the fans' support, we realise they pay an awful lot of money for their tickets and travel - and it's about time we put on a performance and got the results for the fans and the whole nation."

Captain role

As well as Capello's first competitive match, it is Terry's first qualifier since being reinstated as skipper - and he is determined to bring success to England.

"For me it means the world to be England captain," he said. "I know in my lifetime I have a very good opportunity to make England successful, along with the players around me and the manager.

"That is something I'm going to take with both hands and try to make England successful again."

England have been dealt a blow with the news Rio Ferdinand will miss Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Andorra.

Coach Fabio Capello confirmed the Manchester United defender was unavailable for the game due to a neck injury but he is expected to be fit for Wednesday's trip to Croatia.

The match against Andorra in Barcelona is Capello's first competitive match since he took over from Steve McClaren following England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

Capello will now call on either Wes Brown, Joleon Lescott or Matthew Upson to deputise alongside John Terry.

Owen boost

Meanwhile, Capello insists 'the door is still open' for Newcastle striker Michael Owen despite his omission from England's squad for their first two World Cup qualifying matches.

There have doubts cast over the international future of Owen after he was not included in the party for the forthcoming fixtures against Andorra and Croatia.

But Capello has addressed concerns that the 28-year-old is no longer part of his plans and explained that fitness was the major factor behind the decision.

"I considered things and I decided he [Owen] is not fit physically," Capello explained.

"The match against the Czech Republic you could see that Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney were not fit and they played on 60 and 70 minutes.

"So it is for this reason I have not included Michael Owen but the door is still open for him to return."

Positive progress

Capello also said that he has seen his squad develop since he has taken over from McClaren earlier this year even though England's performances have not been convincing.

"I have seen a lot of improvement because the players understand what I want and at this moment I am confident in the players in the team for the next two games," Capello added.

"When we played against the Czech Republic the players were not completely fit but now they are better.

"This is only the first game and we have just start on the road for South Africa. We have many more games to play."

Fabio Capello has backed Wayne Rooney to rediscover his best form and goalscoring touch in England's upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The Italian's decision to leave Michael Owen out of his squad has surprised many, considering an international record of 40 goals in 89 games and the fact Rooney has yet to hit top form this season.

Capello is confident though that Rooney, without an international goal since scoring against Russia 11 months ago, can fill the breach, starting against the minnows of Andorra in Barcelona on Saturday.

Better fitness

He said: "It is very important for Wayne Rooney to be perfect physically. For the game against the Czech Republic he was not fit. Now he is better physically.

"But he has to score a goal. Psychologically, goals are very important for forwards and if you don't hit the target then it is a problem.

"However, it is not only Wayne but all the other players. It is not important who scores the goals individually but that the team manages to score them."

England take their first steps on the road to South Africa this weekend when they face Andorra in Barcelona.

Having missed out on a place at Euro 2008 this summer, the Three Lions know that anything less than convincing qualification for the World Cup finals in two years' time will not be tolerated.

With greater tests yet to come, Fabio Capello will be delighted that his first competitive game in charge of the national team pitches him against European minnows.

The Italian has made a less than impressive start to his tenure in football's toughest hot-seat, with his tactics and team selection already having come under question.

Five friendlies may have brought three victories, and just one defeat, but wins over Switzerland, United States and Trinidad & Tobago were expected and have failed to satisfy a fickle fan base.

Lacklustre showings against France and Czech Republic appear to show that those in charge have failed to learn the lessons of previous regimes, while adding to the frustration of those who continue to follow their country with pride and passion.

Capello need only look to England's last visit to the Olympic Stadium in Catalunya to find an ideal example of how mediocrity will not be tolerated by demanding supporters.

Steve McClaren's England toiled for long periods against Andorra in 2007, before eventually emerging with a 3-0 win.

There are few who doubt that the Three Lions will once again head home victorious from their jaunt to Spain, especially as their opponents break the monotonous cliche of there being 'no easy games in international football'.

Tough task

David Rodrigo's side have won just once during a less than illustrious history, with that solitary success coming against the might of Macedonia four years ago.

They finished pointless during their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, racking up a goal difference of -40.

The Andorrans have already lost their opening game this time around, 3-0 to Kazakhstan, and head into Saturday's encounter hoping for respectability rather than three points.

A quick glance through their squad shows the mammoth gulf in class between their plucky battlers and England's millionaire superstars.

Three members of Rodrigo's side play their club football for AC Andorra in the Spanish third division, while 37-year-old Toni Lima does not even play domestic football - only turning out for the national side.

Injuries ease

With that in mind, even a depleted England squad should have little trouble in disposing of fragile opposition.

Capello has had cause for concern during the build-up to the game, but those problems appear to have eased.

Frank Lampard is expected to have shaken off a thigh problem in time to make the starting XI, while Joe Cole should be fit after a recent calf injury.

John Terry (bug), Wes Brown and Ashley Cole (both knee) have also returned to training and are pushing for a place in the manager's plans.

Rio Ferdinand continues to struggle with a stiff neck and remains the only doubt, with Matthew Upson or Joleon Lescott ready to deputise.

While the majority of the England players are now old hands when it comes to international competition, Saturday's game could see Fulham's Jimmy Bullard earn his first cap after he was handed a surprise call-up in the wake of Steven Gerrard's groin problems.

England's possible starting XI: James, Brown, Ferdinand, Terry, A. Cole, Beckham, Lampard, Barry, J. Cole, Rooney, Defoe.

Rio Ferdinand will return to the heart of England's defence for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier with Croatia in Zagreb.

The Manchester United defender came through Monday's training session after missing the 2-0 victory in Andorra because of neck and back problems.

Head coach Fabio Capello is happy Ferdinand will be 100% ready for the clash with Slaven Bilic's side.

Capello said: "Rio is fit for the game and it is good to have him available because he is a leader and an important player."

Joleon Lescott is set to make way to allow Ferdinand to partner John Terry.

Portsmouth's Glen Johnson will be aiming to hang on to the right-back position, but Wes Brown is likely to get the nod.

Meanwhile, England coach Fabio Capello says he is undecided whether to hand Joe Cole a starting role in Zagreb.

Cole came off the bench to score both goals in the win over Andorra and will be hoping to replace Stewart Downing.

On the opposite flank David Bentley or David Beckham look set to

replace Theo Walcott and Capello looks ready to replace Jermain Defoe with the powerful Emile Heskey.

Kick-off 8pm.

England (probable): James; Brown, Terry, Ferdinand, A Cole; Lampard, Barry, J Cole, Bentley; Heskey, Rooney.

England skipper John Terry believes avenging the last result against Croatia will be the real motivating force on Wednesday.

Terry is fuelled by personal frustration as he was sidelined with a knee injury when Slaven Bilic's side won at Wembley last November to end England's hopes of reaching Euro 2008.

Terry, who also missed the defeat to Russia in Moscow when qualification could have been sealed, said: "It was really disappointing from a personal point of view to not be available for the two big games, against Russia when we needed the points to go through and the big game against Croatia when I was one or two days away from playing.

"You're sitting there and it didn't start so well. It's over now but it wasn't nice to watch."

The 27-year-old was fit when England lost to Croatia at Maksimir Stadium earlier in that campaign - courtesy of Paul Robinson's famous blunder - and the Chelsea centre-back is expecting a hostile reception.

It could call for one his speeches to rally his team-mates in their potentially-crucial 2010 World Cup qualifier.

"The memories of last time will be more than enough to get the lads fighting but if I feel the need on the night of the game then I will, whether it is before, at half-time or during the game," Terry said.

"Sometimes it is called for and I'll do that or another player will do that to get the troops going. Sometimes it takes a cool head. It's just something I get a feel for before the game."

Terry also believes England players owe their fans after failures in recent years - and a draw or a win in Zagreb would help start paying them back.

"The fans travel an awful long way and pay a lot of money, we understand that, and we have underachieved," he said. "We've openly admitted that.

"We need to improve as an England team. If we do that we'll qualify, then we'll get the fans back on our side and look forward to the World Cup together.

"We need to set our standards early in the group. Win, lose or draw against - the campaign is up and running. We're not going to be judged on one game.

"We've moved forward from a year ago and hopefully in better shape. We need to go out with the mentality and confidence that we have at club level.

"At the same side they are a very good side and have not been beaten here for a long time."

Terry feels there is a different expectation level on their return to Zagreb, adding: "The last time we came here we were favourites to win the game. I think that picked them up a bit.

"We'll respect them but not fear them. We respect teams like we did against Andorra and everyone else in the group.

"If we win the game we take control. If we can win it will be fantastic but if we draw it will be a good result."

Coach Fabio Capello insists England must perform "without fear" against Croatia in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier.

England were beaten 2-0 in Zagreb two years ago in a Euro 2008 qualifier and will again be confronted with a hostile atmosphere in the Maksimir Stadium.

But Capello, who prefers to play away from Wembley because he says the players lack confidence in front of their own fans, has sensed a growing belief among his players during the 10 days they have been together which he feels is not evident when in action at the national stadium.

The former Real Madrid boss said: "I think we have worked very well for these nine, 10 days and I see the players having a lot of confidence.

"They are are getting better day by day and I am sure that tomorrow night we will be okay and we will perform.

"Of course, you have to pay big attention to the counter-attack of Croatia. I think the are also very dangerous from free-kicks and corners. This is one of their strong points.

"But we have to play without confidence and without fear and play very quickly. I understand the spirit of the group and the team and it is going up.

"We know Croatia never lose at home. Also, I think when England play at home at this moment, we don't play with a lot of confidence and I prefer to play away from England at this moment.

"But I am sure the players will play very well tomorrow."

Capello has stressed the importance of experience and applying the team ethic against the technically gifted Croatians.

He said: "We have a lot of players with big experience. Seven of them played in the final of the Champions League last season and we have to play like a group, like a team.

"This is very important. We must not play as individuals. Every player has to help each other out. That is very important."

A share of the spoils would still be regarded as a positive result for England but Capello will not set his team out to play for a draw.

And he is hoping to expose any cracks that may have appeared in the belief of Croatia after losing to Turkey on penalties during the Euro 2008 finals.

Capello said: "I never play for the draw. My idea is always to go to play for a win.

"I saw the Euro 2008 finals and Bilic did very impressive work with this team and they played very well.

"But I think losing on after penalties to Turkey in the summer, at this moment they are not so confident as before."

Capello admits he is also relishing the game after seeing England struggle to break down the part-timers of Andorra on Saturday until substitute Joe Cole struck twice.

He said: "This game is exciting. I prefer this game to the one against Andorra because it is a tough game and the atmosphere will be very exciting.

"I know what happened in the past against Croatia but I always think about the future and this is a new game, a new season and the players will not think about what happened in the last game.

"We have to focus on this game. It is a different team, different manager."

Defender and vice-captain Rio Ferdinand has been passed fit to play after recovering from a neck injury which forced him out of the Andorran clash.

Capello said: "Rio is one leader on the pitch, one leader in the dressing room and he is a very important player for us. Now he is fit which is good news."