Fabio Capello wants to add a touch of fantasy football to the team spirit he believes will take England to the World Cup finals in two years.The England boss has been told by Luiz Felipe Scolari and Marcello Lippi how a tight-knit squad pulling together is vital to winning the biggest prize in football - as they did with Brazil and Italy respectively - but Capello also wants flair.

Unlocking the "fantasy" in his players is now the key for Capello, as he feels a unity has been established after his first four games since taking charge.

"I remember in the first game when we played Switzerland, I was very worried because I didn't see the spirit and the English characteristics," he said. "But after four games I am very happy because step by step we have moved on and have found he spirit of the group.

"These are the characteristics of the England players, but also I was surprised by the fact a lot of players are very good technically - very, very good.

"There are also players with fantasy and that is very important at this moment. Now, modern football is a 9-1 formation and without fantasy or one player dribbling, with good passes, it is impossible to score goals.

"We have some players with good fantasy, very interesting players."

Capello has been in Vienna to watch Croatia, who England will face in September in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Luka Modric's penalty gave Slaven Bilic's side the lead against co-hosts Austria but they were then required to dig in, just as Capello expects his own players to do.

"I saw Croatia and their spirit," he said. "They are together as one group, they work hard together, they suffer, they help everyone and that's very important. Without the group, it's impossible to win.

"Always at a World Cup, a European Championship, the team that wins it has a strong group.

"I spoke with Scolari and I spoke with Lippi and both told me that the group was very, very strong, a very strong unit. The first XI and the whole squad of 23 stayed together and were very focused."

Bilic's men eliminated England at the qualifying stages for Euro 2008 and Capello believes getting the better of them this time around will require unity and "fantasy", but also coping with the pressure that comes with wearing the Three Lions.

"The pressure is much bigger with your country," said Capello. "It's a big difference.

"This is the reason a lot of good players play very well with their clubs, but are not the same as the national team.

"One example is (Cesc) Fabregas who is one of the best players in England, but does not play often for Spain. It's possible the pressure is very big and he suffers a little bit.

"You have to choose the player that can play very well for both his club and the national team, with the same confidence, the same fantasy and same strong mentality."

Capello believes the pressure may have got to Dean Ashton in his 45-minute debut against Trinidad and Tobago, but he is set to give the West Ham striker another chance next season.

"He will be with us for the next games as long as he is fit," said the England boss.

Among the unresolved matters before the next campaign, Capello needs to pick between his two candidates for permanent England captain.

"It's not important what position the captain plays in, but not the keeper," he said. "I prefer one player near to the referee to speak to him."

When the final touches are put in place, Capello insists England will be ready to reach South Africa in 2010.

"I am very confident we will qualify for the World Cup," he said. "I know the players better and they know me now, and I'm sure we have a very

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