After missing out on qualification for Euro 2008, the FA's director of development believes it is currently unrealistic to believe England should be playing a part in the latter stages of the 2010 World Cup.

He explained on Sky Sports News: "I thought there was a lot of quality football in Euro 2008 - and the fact we didn't qualify was almost a reality check.

"We don't want to go from that (not qualifying) to saying we need to be in the last four of the World Cup.

"We need to start playing consistently and not be vulnerable if we get one or two injuries in the squad. The depth of talent in the squad has always been the challenge."

More than seven months have passed since Italian Fabio Capello was handed the task of lifting England's fortunes.

And Brooking continued: "He doesn't seem fazed by the job.

"He's had a six-month period not a lot of international managers get and he's enjoyed the opportunity to get to see the players individually rather than collectively.

"I'm pretty sure he didn't know what to expect but it's a big, high-profile job and it's up to him to get the players off to a good start.

"We've always got that expectancy - but we've got to have a reality check having not won anything for 42 years.

"There have been a couple of quarter-finals but that doesn't appear to be enough - now we've got to start clawing our way up.

"Scoring goals is the big challenge but more than anything we've got to get to the World Cup finals.

"From there comes the expectancy and confidence to do well in the final stages."