LONDON — What a mess.
England begins the countdown to the World Cup finals against Egypt next Wednesday with its captain injured, two first choice left-backs absent, the right-back hasn't played for two months and the most reliable defender is out of form.
The feel-good factor from qualifying for South Africa with a 100 percent record has gone. Coach Fabio Capello finds himself playing the role of agony uncle as the off-field behavior of his ex-captain John Terry impacts on the squad and his selections.