Terry is aware the inevitable hype will start about England's chances in South Africa after the convincing way they topped their qualifying group.

A 5-1 hammering of Croatia at Wembley yesterday evening enabled Fabio Capello's side to clinch their place with two qualifiers - against Ukraine and Belarus - still to be played.

And some bookmakers are already making England 6-1 to win football's most coveted prize.

Terry said: "It is important that the players especially, but also the media and the England supporters, really enjoy the good times.

"We've had the bad times with England in the past and we've all suffered them. We all remember the disappointments of two years ago when we never made the Euro 2008 finals.

"This was a very good moment and we've all got to saviour it but hopefully at the same time no-one gets too carried away.

"There is still an awful long way to go and an awful lot of improvements within the squad that the manager has stressed already and we will be aiming to do that.

"It is important we finish the qualifying campaign strongly and that is what the manager stressed straight after the game."

Two-goal hero Steven Gerrard said: "We know expectations are going to go through the roof.

"But I think it is important we continue to keep playing the way we are playing, keep trying to improve under this manager.

"We know we've got the players to go to the World Cup and do well but it is important we don't take our foot off the gas."

Midfielder Gareth Barry said: "We will mention the expectation thing when we meet up again. This game will be history when we have the two games to finish with.

"We are experienced players in there. We will know not to get carried away. We know the expectations will be sky high."

Frank Lampard believes Capello will not allow England to get carried away with what they have achieved.

The Chelsea star said: "We are very level-headed in the squad. We have been through the lows so we understand what it is about. We know there is a long way to go.

"I think people now are slightly more level-headed than previously. A couple of years ago, even with the quality of the players we have, we didn't qualify for the Euros.

"I think people understand that and, in the camp, we won't get carried away. It is good to have confidence but it is important not to have over confidence and, with the manager we've got, I don't think he will allow us to do that."