England will name Manchester
United defender Rio
Ferdinand as captain for the 2010 World Cup.
Ferdinand will succeed John
Terry as England captain and will lead the national
side in the World Cup this summer, it can be revealed.
The Manchester United
defender had been Capello's vice-captain and will take over the
skipper's armband following Terry's alleged affair with Wayne
Bridge's former partner.
Liverpool midfielder
Steven Gerrard will become
vice-captain, and Capello said: "When I chose John Terry as captain, I also selected a
vice-captain and also named a third choice. There is no reason to
change this decision."
For Ferdinand, the promotion completes a remarkable rise in his
international career.
In 2003, Ferdinand was banned for eight months for missing a
drugs test and missed Euro 2004 - ironically being replaced by
Terry in the England team for the tournament.
Ferdinand made his England debut as far back as 1997 against
Cameroon when, at 19, he was the youngest defender to have been
capped. He went on to play in the 2002 World Cup - where he was
named in the team of the tournament - and in 2006.
The 31-year-old from Peckham in London has been plagued by a
back problem for the last 18 months but has recently returned to
the United side after a three-month lay-off and so far the injury
has not returned.
Ferdinand previously described it as "an honour" to have
captained England in Capello's second game in charge, against
France in March 2008.
Ferdinand said then: "As a kid you grow up wanting to play for
England and lead your country out and I've been given that honour
of being able to fulfil those dreams."
