Skipper John Terry has stressed the need for England to make the new Wembley a fortress where opposing teams fear to tread if they are to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals.
England play only their second game at the stadium tomorrow evening against Germany in a friendly international - the first meeting between the nations since September 2001 when Sven-Goran Eriksson's side triumphed 5-1 in Munich.
But it is next month that England need to make home advantage count when they take on Israel and Russia in two qualifiers for the finals in Austria and Switzerland next summer in the space of five days.
Four of their last five group matches are at Wembley and England have to ensure there are no slip-ups if they are to force their way into the top two.
The Chelsea captain said: "I think this game is very important in the context of what is coming up next month. It is a chance for us to get back to Wembley and get used to playing at Wembley.
"It is only our second game there. It is another opportunity to get used to the pitch, get used to the stadium and the surroundings.
"Clearly it is vital that we make Wembley a fortress if we are to qualify with four of the remaining five qualifiers at home. It is a chance for us to make it a tough place for anyone to come and play.
"That could be a vital factor. Even the foreign lads at Chelsea want to know the ins and outs of the place and when lads from abroad are speaking like that, that to me is a sign of weakness and for us that can be a positive."
Terry also wants the fans to end their abuse towards his club and international team-mate Frank Lampard, who was booed before and during the clash with Brazil in early June.
The central defender believes Lampard has unjustly been targeted because of England's poor performances last season.
Lampard will again have an injection in his broken toe to allow him to play against the Germans.
Terry said: "Frank doesn't miss a day's training. He will keep playing and training. He is a fantastic professional, a world class player, and I am privileged to play with him for club and country.
"He is an example to all younger players. I hope the fans lay off him. Frank got targeted a bit due to those bad performances by everyone last season and he took the brunt of that which is very unfair.
"He has been a world class performer for Chelsea and England over the last four or five years. His record speaks for itself. With Frank needing injections to play, he is an example to everyone."
Terry believes it is impossible to think of Wednesday's clash purely as a preparation game for next month's qualifiers given the history between the two nations.
He said: "Before the game, you might think like that but there is no such thing as an England Germany friendly. The history is there over many years and the fixture speaks for itself.
"As a player you can't wait to play. It will be my first time. You know how much the game means to the fans at the game, your own family, the people who will be watching at home. It is important we get a win.
"With Germany coming, it will mean an awful lot to put on a performance and win the game. It is a chance to do it against a very good team. They have injuries but so do we."
Terry is confident David Beckham will be fully prepared for the game and will not be affected by his extensive travelling from the United States.
He said: "I have spoken to him and he is fine. We travelled to Los Angeles with Chelsea in the summer and it does take a day or so to recover but David is fine now.
"He is very professional, he is ready for the game, he has got his sleep in, he said he feels good after the travelling. He will deal with it in his own way."
But it is next month that England need to make home advantage count when they take on Israel and Russia in two qualifiers for the finals in Austria and Switzerland next summer in the space of five days.
Four of their last five group matches are at Wembley and England have to ensure there are no slip-ups if they are to force their way into the top two.
The Chelsea captain said: "I think this game is very important in the context of what is coming up next month. It is a chance for us to get back to Wembley and get used to playing at Wembley.
"It is only our second game there. It is another opportunity to get used to the pitch, get used to the stadium and the surroundings.
"Clearly it is vital that we make Wembley a fortress if we are to qualify with four of the remaining five qualifiers at home. It is a chance for us to make it a tough place for anyone to come and play.
"That could be a vital factor. Even the foreign lads at Chelsea want to know the ins and outs of the place and when lads from abroad are speaking like that, that to me is a sign of weakness and for us that can be a positive."
Terry also wants the fans to end their abuse towards his club and international team-mate Frank Lampard, who was booed before and during the clash with Brazil in early June.
The central defender believes Lampard has unjustly been targeted because of England's poor performances last season.
Lampard will again have an injection in his broken toe to allow him to play against the Germans.
Terry said: "Frank doesn't miss a day's training. He will keep playing and training. He is a fantastic professional, a world class player, and I am privileged to play with him for club and country.
"He is an example to all younger players. I hope the fans lay off him. Frank got targeted a bit due to those bad performances by everyone last season and he took the brunt of that which is very unfair.
"He has been a world class performer for Chelsea and England over the last four or five years. His record speaks for itself. With Frank needing injections to play, he is an example to everyone."
Terry believes it is impossible to think of Wednesday's clash purely as a preparation game for next month's qualifiers given the history between the two nations.
He said: "Before the game, you might think like that but there is no such thing as an England Germany friendly. The history is there over many years and the fixture speaks for itself.
"As a player you can't wait to play. It will be my first time. You know how much the game means to the fans at the game, your own family, the people who will be watching at home. It is important we get a win.
"With Germany coming, it will mean an awful lot to put on a performance and win the game. It is a chance to do it against a very good team. They have injuries but so do we."
Terry is confident David Beckham will be fully prepared for the game and will not be affected by his extensive travelling from the United States.
He said: "I have spoken to him and he is fine. We travelled to Los Angeles with Chelsea in the summer and it does take a day or so to recover but David is fine now.
"He is very professional, he is ready for the game, he has got his sleep in, he said he feels good after the travelling. He will deal with it in his own way."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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