Fabio Capello is demanding England perform with "spirit and intensity" in their friendly international with the United States at Wembley.Capello's side is likely to include several of the Manchester United and Chelsea players who a week ago were playing for the biggest prize in club football - the Champions League.
Now 10 months of virtually non-stop football is coming to a close with what would appear to be low-key games against the USA and then Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.
But Capello wants England to show a strong sense of purpose in the two matches before weary limbs can finally rest up for a few short weeks before the footballing treadmill starts again with lucrative club tours in July.
Capello said: "Can you make a friendly against the United States intense and important? We will try. It is very important to do well in this game.
"We want to play without fear, with a big show of confidence and in a very English type of spirit. I will ask them to play like that.
"Of course, the players won't be fresh like the USA players whose season is only just beginning but I do think we need to play with spirit and intensity.
"It is possible to play like that for one hour, maybe 70 minutes. They have to play quick, strong and press the opposition a lot if it is at all possible."
Not that Capello is expecting an easy ride against the United States after watching them in action on three occasions.
He said: "I think it will be a strong game. I saw three games they played against Poland, Sweden and Mexico and they scored seven goals and conceded only two.
"It is good opposition and they are dangerous from free-kicks and corners."
Capello and his players will have to content themselves with watching the Euro 2008 finals after England failed to qualify for Austria and Switzerland.
But he is in no mood to look back and is only interested in what lies ahead with England's opening World Cup games against Andorra and Croatia in September.
He said: "Am I surprised England didn't get to Euro 2008? I don't like to speak about the past. I like to speak about the future. I think we will qualify for the World Cup.
"People say to me 'all managers say that' so my reply is 'why do you keep asking this question then?"'
John Terry has been chosen as captain by Capello for tonight's game after Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand wore the armband against Switzerland and France respectively.
It is a 'pick-me-up' for Terry after the agony of a week ago when he missed the spot-kick in the Champions League final shoot-out that would have secured victory for Chelsea over Manchester United.
Frank Lampard has also been earmarked for his first start under Capello with Wayne Rooney likely to play as a second striker behind Dean Ashton.
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