LONDON: Rio Ferdinand has warned England that only a victory is acceptable in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against Belarus.

Fabio Capello’s side extended their 100 percent start to the Group Six campaign with a 5-1 victory over Kazakhstan at Wembley on Saturday. But Manchester United defender Ferdinand, England’s stand-in captain in the absence of John Terry, believes that impressive record will count for nothing if they slip up in Minsk.

“We need to get points on the board as quickly as possible. Hopefully by the end of this week we will have four wins,” Ferdinand said. In spite of the one-sided scoreline, England laboured for long periods against Kazakhstan before finally killing off the minnows, who are ranked a lowly 131st in the world.

Ferdinand admitted England had failed to adhere to Capello’s instructions in the goalless first-half, but he took heart from the way they hit back after the break. “We didn’t implement the methods and advice the boss gave us in the first half,” he said. “We didn’t get the ball wide enough and weren’t relaxed enough in the final third as we have been before,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney has told Fabio Capello he is prepared to sacrifice his attacking ambitions to be the England’s coach utility man.

Capello put Rooney on the left of a three-man attack in the first half of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan before moving the Manchester United star alongside Emile Heskey after the break. Rooney had struggled to make any impact on the left but responded to the switch by scoring twice as England finally found some rhythm.

Capello will have to decide whether to restore Rooney to his favoured role behind Emile Heskey for Wednesday’s clash against Belarus or keep the striker out of position on the wing. It is a familiar predicament for Rooney, who has often been shunted wide by Sir Alex Ferguson at United, and the 22-year-old insists he is ready to play wherever Capello wants if it helps the team.

“I played there (on the left) many times for United so I’m not bothered.

“I’m a lot more on the ball in the centre and it’s better to get involved in the play but it’s up to the manager. I enjoyed the game, we could have been ahead at half time and we got the goals after. To be back scoring is nice but the win was more important,” he said.