Fans have key role to play - John Terry

Fans have key role to play - John Terry

John Terry has urged England fans to recreate the hostile atmosphere Fabio Capello's side encountered in Zagreb and help clinch a World Cup spot against Croatia at Wembley tomorrow night.

But the England skipper also warned his players to keep their discipline in what is expected to be another physical battle with Slaven Bilic's side.

England will clinch their place in next summer's finals in South Africa if they collect three points and avenge being knocked out of the Euro 2008 qualifiers by Croatia.

Terry said: "The crowd could be really important to us to get us off to a really good start.

"When we went to Zagreb, things were hostile and difficult - and it can be difficult sometimes in such an atmosphere, especially at the start of the game.

"We are hoping our fans are behind us and they can play a key role for us on Wednesday night."

Croatia targeted hat-trick hero Theo Walcott and Joe Cole for some rough treatment last September although England had the last laugh with a 4-1 success.

Terry is also aware of the pre-match comments made by Bilic about England being a flawed team and lacking in "Englishness".

Terry said: "It is very important we don't get sucked into any individual battles. I think individually we've all got to win our battles and collectively.

"But at the same time we walk away and try and be mature about things and don't try and get sucked into the things they will be trying to suck us into.

"Bilic is someone I respect as a player in England and as a manager but I don't want to put any fuel on the fire and give anyone ammunition.

"We want to concentrate on ourselves and our own game and if Croatia want to play mind games, let them do that. Hopefully we can concentrate on the right things and that will be on the football field on Wednesday night."

Terry is desperate for England to avenge the disappointment of two years ago and was a frustrated spectator because of injury when Croatia won 3-2 at Wembley.

He said: "To lead England to the World Cup will be very important for me collectively and personally. Being captain the second time around, with the disappointment of the Euros, will be special.

"That is still hurting in the back of my mind and the back of everyone's mind. It's a chance now to put that right. We have got ourselves in a great position.

"Now it is down to us to finish off the job. To finish it off early will be ideal and we've got a great chance to do that."

Terry has made some impassioned speeches before previous England games but will not adapt that approach before tomorrow's game.

He said: "Will there be any speech? No, not before the game. All the lads will say their piece. There will be no big speech but everyone knows what they've got to go out there and do.

"Messages like that will be beamed across the dressing room before the game from everyone."

Terry will also have little sympathy if the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery - three of the biggest stars in the game - fail to make the finals with Portugal, Argentina and France respectively.

He said: "I think it is good for England. When we didn't qualify, I went back to Chelsea and the attitude of the foreign players was 'England are not there, we have a better chance of qualifying'.

"That is the mentality of the other nations. If we can go there, with some big teams not there, even better."