Fabio Capello has left his players in no doubt he expects to be talking about football, not their private lives, ahead of this summer's World Cup.

England tackle African Nations Cup winners Egypt at Wembley tonight in their final friendly before Capello names his provisional squad for South Africa.

Yet the build-up has been completely dominated by the fall-out from John Terry's alleged dalliance with Wayne Bridge's former girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel.

It cost Terry the England captaincy and resulted in Bridge ending his association with the national side, so Capello accepts it is a subject he can hardly ignore.

However, the Italian is clearly uncomfortable discussing such matters and has made his players aware of what he expects from now on.

"I want to speak only about things that happen on the pitch," he said. "Not outside the pitch and not outside the stadium.

"I want to speak about the style of our game. I want to speak about what happens during a game.

"For some players, their private life is a big problem. Also for the clubs and, at the end, for me. But I hope they understand it is really important, in this last period, they are careful in their lives."

Terry might find himself singled out for abuse by a Wembley crowd who have never been slow to attack members of their own team.

Gary Neville and Terry's Chelsea team-mates Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have been the target of booing in the past.

But, after carefully crafting the unity that was so obviously missing when he replaced Steve McClaren two years ago, Capello has joined those urging the England fans to lay off the 29-year-old.

"I hope the fans help the team," he said. "They understand the private life of some players has not been so good and I know they are worried after what has happened.

"But we are dressed in the England shirt and it's important for us that they help us every moment, so I hope they don't boo John Terry.

"He is a part of the team and an important player for us. Both tomorrow and afterwards, the fans have to think we win important games together."

Wayne Rooney will play, as will Wes Brown given he is the only right-back in Capello's squad, a point the Italian noted in claiming that role was more problematic than the left-back position that is between Stephen Warnock and Leighton Baines.

Ryan Shawcross is unlikely to start despite receiving backing from Capello after his tackle on Aaron Ramsey on Saturday that left the Arsenal man with a broken leg.