James behind Hart and Green to start but decision will only be taken on match day

Four-letter outburst would have earnt a red card in World Cup, says referee after England fail to impress against local side

Upton Park in positive mood as new manager arrives, despite imminent clear-out of players

A World Cup or European Championship would not be the same without goalkeepers complaining about the new footballs being used. "Like a water polo ball, very goalkeeper-unfriendly," was Paul Robinson's verdict as England's No 1 in Germany four years ago. This time, however, there is another factor to contend with in the number of games being played at altitude and when David James, not a natural whinger, describes the new Adidas Jabulani ball, developed at Loughborough University, as "dreadful, horrible", he is not merely making excuses in advance for his embattled breed.

Rio Ferdinand would be happy to place his trust in Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard to get their central midfield axis right for England at the World Cup.

Fabio Capello is not a man who likes to leave things to chance, but England go into their final significant pre-World Cup warm-up against Japan in Graz tomorrow with too many questions unanswered for comfort. The England manager will be hoping to resolve several pressing issues, and to avoid further injuries.

Fabio Capello is ready to give Stephen Warnock an opportunity to prove his case as the reserve left-back for the World Cup. The Aston Villa defender is set to line up in England's final international warm-up fixture against Japan in Austria on Sunday, after the torrid night experienced by Leighton Baines against Mexico at Wembley.

In a perfect world Adam Johnson, one of the few pluses on Monday night, would have had more chance to prove that his emergence is indeed one of special quality

No one could say that the Football Association did not do its best to nurture the kind of national unity reserved for times of impending war. They even had some troops on the pitch to support the effort. The vast sea of white formed by the commemorative "Road to South Africa" T-shirts given to every England supporter made Wembley seem like the home to some kind of spiritual choir with Fabio Capello, whose vast image towered above those who walked up Olympic Way in the sunshine, the leader.

But don't be alarmed, says Bill Tuckey – there are traditional methods to their modernist madness

West Ham United 1 Manchester City 1

Aston Villa 0 Blackburn Rovers 1

Fulham 3 West Ham 2

Gianfranco Zola's relationship with the owners of West Ham United appeared strained beyond repair last night, when he spoke of his deep frustration at being undermined over transfer policy.