Capello Demands Improvement From England

The England coach Fabio Capello has said his side's performances must improve as they prepare for the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign. Capello is expected to return to London on Monday and has urged his side to build on their first friendlies under his leadership, which have yielded three victories and a defeat, with the 2010 World Cup qualifiers starting in September.

The coach recently flew to Thailand where he was a guest of the country's football federation but is now concentrating on England's friendly with the Czech Republic on August 20 at Wembley.

"With respect to our last two games [the friendly victories over Trinidad & Tobaga and the US in June], we must start again and show improvements," he told the Gazzetta dello Sport. "I expect my players to continue doing what I ask them to do."

Capello also quipped that Internazionale's unsuccessful attempt to sign England midfielder Frank Lampard meant "he will avoid me having to do trips to Milan".