STEVE Coppell believes Fabio Capello must ditch shot-shy striker Emile Heskey if England are to make an impact at the World Cup in South Africa.

Held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by the USA in their Group C opener, England must beat outsiders Algeria in Cape Town on Friday or risk a humiliating exit from the tournament.

Bristol City boss Coppell believes England have what it takes to reach the last 16 and progress to the latter stages, but insisted Capello must make changes to the side which under-achieved on Saturday.

And he is urging the England manager to dispense with Heskey and deploy star player Wayne Rooney as a lone striker.

Aston Villa forward Heskey was criticised after making a hash of a second-half goalscoring opportunity when one-on-one with USA keeper Tim Howard, and Coppell said: "I don't see how you can go into a tournament expecting to do well with a centre forward who does not score goals.

"I was listening to the commentary on the television and Gareth Southgate said he had not scored a goal since February. If that is true, then surely he should not be leading England's attack in a World Cup Finals.

"I do not subscribe to the view that Heskey must play in order to bring the best out of Wayne Rooney. They played together in the opening game and Rooney struggled to get into the game and only played in fits and starts.

"If we have any pretensions to make the latter stages of the World Cup, let alone win it, then Capello simply has to pick his best players."

Capello is being widely tipped to recall Gareth Barry to face Algeria and Coppell would like to see the England coach opt for a five-man midfield and give Steve Gerrard and Frank Lampard licence to roam.

He said: "We've seen many times before that playing Gerrard and Lampard together in the centre of a four-man midfield does not work. Our winger stayed out wide instead of tucking in on Saturday and those two were outnumbered in the middle of the park.

"I would like to see Capello bring back Gareth Barry in a holding role and free up Gerrard and Lampard to get forward and support Rooney.

"That is the best part of their game and we have to play to our strengths if we want to progress in the tournament."

City's manager insisted Capello must also address the issue of which goalkeeper to select and shore up a defence that has been depleted by injury to Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King.

"I have always maintained that the triangle of goalkeeper and two centre-backs is going to be crucial to our chances.

"If that little area is nice and solid, then you have a chance.

"But Fabio has problems and still does not seem to know which is his best goalkeeper. I think he has to keep faith with Robert Green, otherwise he is effectively saying that his international career is over.

"He also needs to find the right man to partner John Terry in the centre of defence. Jamie Carragher looked short of pace against the USA and he may have to consider Michael Dawson or Matthew Upson.

"Upson has played plenty of times for England but has not had the best of seasons in the Premier League, while Dawson has had a good season with Spurs but lacks experience at this level. I think Capello has some difficult decisions to make and he has to get them right."