Capello pleased with London visit

Russia coach Fabio Capello says bringing his team to London is ideal preparation for their crunch World Cup qualifying clash with Northern Ireland.

The Eastern Europeans sit five points clear at the top of Group F and the former England boss feels preparations for their trip to Belfast on Friday are going well.

“In London, we have everything we need to prepare well for a very important game,” Capello told the Russian Football Union’s official website.

“The training base is nearby, and the airport is too. Belfast is almost a stone’s throw away. It’s very convenient. But most of all I am glad that all the players are healthy.

“(Monday) was the first day of our training here. Players who did not play or played little on Sunday had to do it. We planned everything so that our training was held at the maximum level.

“Each of the players focused on the upcoming match against Northern Ireland. We will do everything we can to achieve the desired result.”