John Terry was one of four England players to sit out training this morning as Fabio Capello's side began their preparations for Saturday's World Cup qualifier with Kazakhstan.

Terry felt a niggle in his back at the end of Chelsea's win over Aston Villa on Sunday and was not expected to train anyway. Ashley Cole, Terry's Chelsea team-mate, Wes Brown and Stewart Downing of Middlesbrough also missed training. All four were expected to train tomorrow, when it is expected Capello will play his intended side in a full-size training game.

The England captain has called on his team to play without restraint and told Theo Walcott to treat Wembley like his playground on Saturday.

The Arsenal forward looks set to keep his place after scoring a hat-trick in last month’s 4-1 win in Croatia, but Terry has warned those surrounding the England setup not to heap too much pressure on the 19-year-old.

“The lads all said that Theo came out of his shell a bit on the last trip with England," Terry said. “But let's not put too much pressure on him.

"He is an exciting talent and a really good player for the future and for this campaign.”

Terry added that it is up to Wayne Rooney and Joe Cole to share the burden of expectation with Walcott, and that all three should play with freedom.

"We must not start saying it is all down to him and that he is the only way forward. We have the likes of Theo, Wayne Rooney and Joe Cole.

"Let's tell them all to play their normal game like they are back in the playground," he added.

Frank Lampard expects Kazakhstan to attempt to frustrate England on Saturday, but says he hopes supporters will keep the faith.

"It is a task to break them down but once you have broken them down you can go on and get the result you want," he added.

"For any team - England or your club - you have periods feeling comfortable playing away and periods when you feel comfortable playing at home.

"Hopefully, with that feeling of confidence which came from the Croatia game we can show our intentions from the start of the game and I think the fans will respond to that."

Peter Crouch says he is pleased to be back in the squad after being overlooked for last month's games against Andorra and Croatia.

"I always said when I was at Liverpool I wasn't playing as many games as I needed to be playing," he said. "I always felt confident that when I was playing regularly I'd score goals and do well enough to be in the England set-up.

"Now I am doing that and it's proving me right at the moment but I have just got to keep that going. I am not the type of person who would sit there and sulk or throw my arms in the air. I would rather get down and do the business for my club.

"The manager has proved in the past, he has left players out at times, but if they've played well, worked hard and done well at club level they will be straight back in.

"I think there is more of a spring in the step after Croatia win, it is a difficult place to go and to win in the manner we did has got to breed confidence in the whole squad.

"The lads are looking forward to getting out there and hopefully continuing that good form."