Barry in surprise return to England training

Barry only made Capello's final 23-man squad after further tests on the ankle ligament injury he suffered against Tottenham on May 5.

The 29-year-old was not expected to play a full part in training until after the USA encounter in Rustenburg a week today but was a surprising presence on the training ground yesterday morning as Capello's men went through their paces on the first full day in South Africa.

Given Barry's obvious importance to Capello's preferred formation, it raised hopes he could be involved when England begin their quest for glory.

But Capello is urging caution.

He admits Barry is making startling progress but has no intention of risking a player he was prepared to bend his own rules about being fit for the entire duration of the tournament to have around in the first place.

"We are happy about Barry because he is improving every day," said Capello.

"He spent the morning with the team and then went into the gym with the physio in the afternoon.

"I spoke with him yesterday and he is really happy. There is no swelling and his confidence is rising.

"But we must go slowly because this is the worst period.

"If you go too fast, it is really dangerous.

"I would prefer he didn't play against the USA and is fit for the other games."

Capello has earmarked former captain David Beckham to be the "liaison between the staff and the players" at the World Cup.

Beckham's dreams of participating in a fourth World Cup finals with his country were shattered by an Achilles injury when on loan to AC Milan from LA Galaxy.

Capello has also stressed that the former Manchester United star is not an official member of his coaching staff in South Africa.

But it is clear the Italian believes the midfielder can still have a positive influence on his squad as they prepare for the opening game against the United States.

Capello confirmed: "David Beckham is the liaison between the staff and the players. He stays with us. He's very important.

"It's very important that the players have him (around). He's not a coach, and he's not a player.

"We asked him to stay with us and he decided to stay. It's a really important World Cup.

"He's important because he's one of the symbols of England. He can help us at any moment."

It is another example of the faith Capello has shown in Beckham since he won him over when coach at Real Madrid.

He kept Beckham in his plans as a player throughout the qualifying campaign for the finals, using him chiefly as an impact player from the bench.

Beckham will also have the complete respect of members of the current squad, many of whom he has played alongside for many years at international level.

Capello, unsurprisingly, also thinks Beckham can have some significant input into preparing to face the Americans.

He said: "We have to play against the USA and David Beckham knows

better some of the players than we do."

Beckham will also use his time in South Africa to bolster England's bid for the 2018 World Cup.

But he is expected to remain involved with the England side for much of the tournament.

Adrian Bevington, managing director of Club England, said: "I think David will help with a couple of things with the bid.

"He's here with us (England) the rest of the time."

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane is remaining tight-lipped over his tactical approach to his side's World Cup opener against Slovenia in eight days.

The north Africans face the European outsiders in Polokwane on June 13, before coming up against their tougher opponents in Group C – England and then the USA.

They face one final warm-up game against United Arab Emirates in Germany today and will be desperate to end a four-match losing streak.

But Saadane said: "All the teams have by now had three weeks or so of preparations.

"If you look at the results of some of the other African teams such as Ghana and Cameroon, they have also failed in warm-up games. So, the result of a friendly match is not important, as some think. All I can say is that the team will be ready for the World Cup."

Asked about his plans for the game with Slovenia, he continued: "The 11 players that will start are in my head.

"But when you go to war, you never tell the enemy your plans."

Star player Mourad Meghni is out with a knee injury while another important player in former Sheffield Wednesday defender Madjid Bougherra has been struggling with a niggle.