John Terry has no doubts his schoolboy friendship with Ledley King will ensure England's defence will be watertight for their World Cup opener against the United States on Saturday.

With Rio Ferdinand ruled out of the tournament, Fabio Capello has to choose another central defensive partner for his former captain and, although he rarely trains due to chronic knee condition forces, it seems King is going to get the nod.

Terry played with Tottenham centre-half King at the famed Senrab Boys Club and the Chelsea skipper said: "In a football sense I always had an understanding with him,"