London  - Qualification may be wrapped up and thoughts of South Africa next summer may be creeping into their minds, but England's players go into Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Ukraine with one word ringing in their heads: improvement.

Eight wins out of eight have sealed England's place in the finals ahead of time, but manager Fabio Capello has called on his side to produce a better performance than their last match.

That may take some doing, though, for England hammered Croatia 5-1 at Wembley last month to book their place in South Africa, thanks to two goals each from Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard and one from Wayne Rooney.

"Mr Capello has made it clear we have to improve on our last performance. I believe in what he wants us to achieve," goalkeeper David James said.

James is back in the squad after injury and having not played for England since April, the Portsmouth man does not know whether he will be handed back the No 1 goalkeeping shirt, with Robert Green and Joe Hart pushing him for a starting berth.

"There has always been competition for places. I said that from the beginning," James said. "My inclusion back in the squad under Fabio was very welcoming and it would have been understandable had he gone with a younger keeper.

"I feel the standard of English goalkeeping is good. But Robert Green has come in and the team have continued their winning sequence and it is a testament to the standards Mr Capello has set for the whole squad.

"It has never been easy. There are no expectations. When I first got into the squad, I wasn't expecting to play. It will be difficult, they have a chance for qualification themselves," he continued. "We're not going to make it easy for them."

Rooney and Emile Heskey are likely to lead the attack, despite competition from an in-form Peter Crouch.

Gerrard is again likely to play on the left side of midfield, with Lampard and Gareth Barry favourites to join forces in the centre and David Beckham, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon fighting it out to start on the right.

Michael Carrick is one of those on the fringes of the first XI and the Manchester United man is ready to take his chance should it come along.

"Saturday's obviously a tough game, a tough place to go and to be involved in that would be great," Carrick said.

"Playing in Europe with United I've gained a lot of experience since I last started a game for England so that should help me a lot. To pull on an England shirt is not a given. There's good competition, we're all playing at the top level so everyone's pushing to be involved and the results speak for themselves.

"It makes it easier for individuals to shine so, if I get the shirt, it's up to me to try to keep it."

England edged out Ukraine when the two sides met at Wembley, but only thanks to a late goal from captain John Terry. (dpa)