PARIS, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - Coach Fabio Capello must rejig his defence as England head to Belarus for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier with John Terry and Ashley Cole both out of action while Germany have doubts over Michael Ballack in their fixture against Wales.

PARIS, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - European zone World Cup qualifying fixtures on Wednesday (times in GMT):

In La Valletta (1730): Malta v Hungary

In Braga (2045): Portugal v Albania

In Riga (1500): Latvia v Israel

In Piraeus (1730): Greece v Switzerland

In Luxembourg (1815): Luxembourg v Moldova

In Teplice (1530): Czech Republic v Slovenia

PARIS, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - World Cup European zone qualifying tables ahead of Wednesday's matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

Denmark 3 2 1 0 6 2 7

Portugal 3 1 1 1 6 3 4

Hungary 3 1 1 1 3 2 4

Albania 3 1 1 1 3 2 4

Switzerland 3 1 1 1 5 5 4

Luxembourg 3 1 0 2 3 7 3

Moldova 3 0 0 3 2 7 0

BRISBANE, Australia, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - Injury-hit Newcastle United striker Mark Viduka says he still wants to help Australia reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, reports said here Tuesday.

LONDON, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - Wayne Rooney has warned England's stars not to surrender pole position on the road to South Africa when they face Belarus in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier.

BRISBANE, Australia, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - The return of goal-poaching midfielder Tim Cahill and the likely appearance of veteran defender Craig Moore make Australia favourites to beat Qatar in Asian World Cup qualifying on Wednesday.

LECCE, Italy, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - World champions Italy are going to keep their defensive door bolted shut, according to AC Milan's Gianluca Zambrotta ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Montenegro Wednesday.

Italy came under fire for their negative display against Bulgaria in Sofia on Saturday where they played for, and got, a drab 0-0 draw.

SAITAMA, Japan, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - Uzbekistan forwards Aleksandr Geynrikh and Maksim Shatskikh are expected to provide a stern test for Japan in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup.

KINGSTON, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador will attempt to clinch berths in next year's North American qualifying tournament, for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, with football victories Wednesday.

SEOUL, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - In-form Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung will return to boost South Korea against United Arab Emirate on Wednesday as they seek their first win of the last Asian round of 2010 World Cup qualifying.