Algeria are trying to take what positives they can out of their 1-0 defeat in a lacklustre Group C fixture with Slovenia in Polokwane on Sunday.

A terrible blunder by goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi and a silly red card for striker Abdelkader Ghezzal completed a disastrous day for the Desert Foxes, with the loss of Ghezzal a big blow to their chances against England on Friday in Cape Town.

Defender Madjid Bougherra, who plays for Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers, says the second yellow card handed to the striker for dissent was harsh, and that they would miss him against Rooney and Co.

“I think it [Ghezzal’s dismissal] was unfair,” Bougherra said. “For sure we will miss him. We are not sure whether it is for one or two games, but he will not be able to play in the next game against England.

“We need to win the game against England. England had a draw last night [1-1 with the USA] so there is still hope for us but the next game is most important.”

Bougherra believes that the experience of the World Cup will ultimately benefit the Algerian squad, which has seen an influx of young, French-born players in recent months.

“We are a young team, still learning. We took a young side to the Nations Cup and lost our first game there as well. But we then went as far as the semifinals. We have a team for the future, with young players,” he said.

Meanwhile, Algeria coach Rabah Saadane has backed keeper Chaouchi after his blunder in letting a shot from Robert Koren bounce over his arms and into the net.

"Chaouchi is our best keeper at the moment and for me [dropping him] is out of the question unless he asks for that himself,” Saadane said. "He's aware of what he did so he said sorry to the team, but he's a keeper with a great future in front of him.

"I don't think it would be appropriate after somebody makes a mistake to change them.”