The Italian's contract is not due to expire until after the next European Championships but there has been plenty of speculation that he will quit once England's World Cup campaign is over in South Africa next year.

However, ahead of tomorrow's friendly with Slovenia at Wembley, the 61-year-old has claimed there is no intention to quit early and that a second major tournament in Poland and Ukraine remains on his radar.

"My contract ends in 2012 and I want to respect it," he said.

"It is not only a matter for me but also the FA but in my mind the target is to respect my contract."

Given the swift sea-change in England's fortunes - going from group-stage elimination in the Euro 2008 qualifiers to seven straight wins to take them to the brink of reaching the World Cup - it is a fair bet the FA would want Capello to stay.

Of more immediate concern for the Italian is securing a place in South Africa, which England will do if they beat Slaven Bilic's men at Wembley on Wednesday.

In that sense, Slovenia, with their swift counter-attacking style, represent the perfect warm-up.

What Capello is not expecting to see is an explosion of diving, having been somewhat taken aback by the storm that has erupted over the Eduardo incident at the Emirates Stadium last week.

Arsene Wenger is fuming at the two-match ban UEFA have handed his striker. And Capello admits he is somewhat surprised a match in England should be singled out for such stiff treatment.

"I have seen a lot of games in England but I haven't seen a lot of diving. It is a problem between Arsenal and UEFA but I do not understand why it has been given such coverage," he said.

Coming from Italy, one would expect Capello to be fairly laid-back about a diving culture.

However, he insists both during his own playing career and now as a coach, he has always maintained a desire for fair play.

"I prefer sporting players," he said.

"Sometimes people try to get an advantage, which depends on a lot of things, including the kind of player.

"I know the fans here don't like it because when it happens they boo. And I prefer sporting players as well.

"I am not happy when people start diving."

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Capello always intended to name his strongest side for tomorrow evening's game, even if four substitutes will be introduced at half-time and a further two at some point in the second period.

So it was particularly pleasing that skipper John Terry was able to play a full part in training after suffering a minor groin complaint in midweek, afterwards confirming hit fitness to captain the Three Lions.

Once again though, Rio Ferdinand is missing as he nurses a groin problem.

Losing one or other of his first-choice central defenders is becoming a regular theme for Capello, although as Matthew Upson and Joleon Lescott have both benefited with some crucial international experience, he does not think the situation is disastrous.

"John Terry and Rio Ferdinand are very good players, who are important for the national team," he said.

"But I have been able to see how some of the others do, even if I hope Rio will be ready for the next matches."

By then - when England visit the Ukraine next month - Capello's team hope to have qualified.

A win against Croatia will do it, an achievement that is not beyond England given their recent performances.

With Ben Foster returning to the north west for the birth of his child, Robert Green will continue in goal, while Glen Johnson is expected to retain the right-back slot.

There are a couple of issues for Capello to solve though, namely who starts on the right-hand side of midfield and who will partner Wayne Rooney in attack.

The first conundrum appears to lie between Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon, while Jermain Defoe is tipped to edge Emile Heskey out of the striking slot.

For Capello, the most important thing is he has options. And good ones.

"I have some really good forward players who have always done well with the national team," he said.

"Wayne Rooney will play but I also have (Peter) Crouch, (Carlton) Cole, Defoe and (Emile) Heskey. They can all play with Rooney, which is very important.

"The main thing is we can change the style both before and during the games.

"Sometimes we play with a diamond, with one man just behind the main strikers. Sometimes we play with other formations.

"The thing is, I can choose."