England to qualify in style

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP):

England coach Fabio Capello is promising a win-only mindset against Montenegro in a European Championship qualifying match today, despite the arrest of Wayne Rooney's father.

The Group G leaders need only one point to qualify for Euro 2012, while Montenegro can overtake England if they win today and in Switzerland on Tuesday.

Rooney's father and uncle were among nine men arrested in a Scottish football betting scam.

"I found him relaxed and calm and there's no problem for the game tomorrow,'' Capello said, confirming that he would start the striker, but was still mulling over who to partner with him in attack. "It would be a big mistake to play for the draw. We need to play to win. I think players understand this and will play the way they always play when we're away from England.''

England failed to qualify for the last European Championship four years ago when they lost to Croatia 3-2 at Wembley in their final game.

Favouring younger players

England have won all three of their away matches, so far, in qualifying for Euro 2012, and Capello has stuck to his policy of favouring younger players, with Manchester United pair Danny Welbeck and Phil Jones included for the Montenegro trip alongside in-form Tottenham fullback Kyle Walker.

Capello said he was likely to field Jones or Walker - who are both uncapped - to replace injured right-back Chris Smalling.

England captain John Terry said his teammates were "expecting a tough game in a quite hostile atmosphere,'' and said Rooney's form would not be affected by Thursday's news.

"Wayne's focused on the game tomorrow. We all realise the importance of that,'' Terry said. "He'll always be fully focused on the football field, so that's what's important to us. I think when you're on the pitch, on the training pitch, you can switch off from anything.''

Montenegro only started playing football as an independent nation in 2007, but have since risen the world rankings to an enviable position for a country of 625,000 people, reaching 16th place last year.

Midfielder Marko Cetkovic described Friday's game as the most important in the country's brief international-football history.

"England are surely the best team in the group. But we also have our qualities. We have two of three players who can score in every game,'' the Poland-based player said. "I think it will be very difficult for England to get the three points, very difficult. England (play well away) but they have never played here. The crowd will be very important for us.''