England plan is for 90 minutes work – James

England v Germany second roundDavid James is confident England can overcome Germany without the need of a penalty shoot-out.

James tried to downplay the significance of tomorrow's World Cup last-16 meeting with England's old rivals and insists any romance surrounding the fixture has to "stay off the pitch."

But the 39-year-old has a quiet air of belief that England can avenge their 1990 World Cup and 1996 European Championship exits at the hands of Germany – both via penalties.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Portsmouth goalkeeper said: "The winning of the World Cup is important, not just beating Germany – but we are confident.

"We have done what we need with regards to getting through and we know the match is romantic – but the romance has to be kept off the field.

"The possibilities beyond that could be interesting as well

(a quarter-final meeting with Argentina if they beat Mexico) if we win on Sunday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It then brings on another match which will have its own unique historical values. We want to win a game, get onto the next game and win that as well.

"In order to be successful in this tournament, you've got to beat the best teams.

"Germany are a decent outfit. They are one of the fancied teams in the tournament.

"But we won in Berlin two years ago and that is the intention again this time. The intention is to go there and win in 90 minutes."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

James added: "If you look at the potential road to the final, the ideal of beating Germany is an achievable goal for us.

"We are not sitting here as underdogs with no chance.

"It is the last 16, Germany are who we need to beat to progress. We will go through their strengths and weaknesses.

"Of course, we want to beat them in 90 minutes but we have to respect the fact, like with the Algerians and Slovenia, it is not going to be a walkover."

James also believes he will be better prepared than he was against Portugal in the 2004 European Championship should spot-kicks be required.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He failed to make a save when England were beaten on penalties by the host nation in Lisbon six years ago – a game in which an early injury to Wayne Rooney proved crucial.

James said: "After 120 minutes you go down to penalties and it's better than a toss of a coin, that's for sure.

"The Portugal match was a sad day for me because I didn't save any. You think 'what if I had done this, what if I had done that?'.

"We didn't have as much access to information as perhaps we could have done with regards to potential penalty takers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The technology we have now means you can do your homework. It doesn't guarantee you 100 per cent success but it gives you some idea.

"We didn't have that in Portugal. If it comes to penalties, hopefully we will be ready for them."

England have been practising penalties since they joined up for their training camp in Austria immediately after the end of the domestic campaign.

James continued: "I don't know if I should say the lads are good against me or vice-versa but it changes from day to day. Some of our lads are pretty good."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Rooney, Gareth Barry and James Milner are likely to be among the favourites to take spot-kicks if required tomorrow in Bloemfontein.

Joe Cole has admitted he has never taken a penalty in a professional career spanning more than a decade. But the midfielder would be willing to step forward if needed tomorrow.

Cole said: "When I was at West Ham we had Paolo Di Canio who always took them.

"At Chelsea it's Frank Lampard and with England it was David Beckham so I've never taken one.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"That's not to say I wouldn't. You have to be more of a man and step up and take one rather than shying away."

England coach Fabio Capello confirmed that all 23 members of his squad trained yesterday.

"All the players trained. Everyone is fit to play," he said.

"It is a good feeling because if they trained they are fit to play."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ledley King was Capello's first choice to partner John Terry in central defence but injured his groin in the first minutes of the opening game against the United States a fortnight ago.

It was anticipated the 29-year-old would be out of action for at least three weeks and although there have been some encouraging noises about his fitness, the latest bulletin is unexpected.

However, considering the time he has been out, it would still seem more likely that either Matthew Upson will keep his place or Jamie Carragher will return from suspension.

With Aaron Lennon, Michael Carrick and, most importantly, Rooney all shaking off ankle knocks, it will leave Capello to choose from strength, knowing he has plenty of options.

Looking beyond the World Cup, James has admitted he will probably leave Portsmouth.