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Ferdinand 'upset' over losing England captaincy to Terry

Terry looks set to take over from Ferdinand as England skipper

Dan Roan
BBC sport news correspondent

Rio Ferdinand is "very upset" over plans to reinstate John Terry as England captain, a source close to the player has told BBC Sport.

The Manchester United defender is the current skipper after Chelsea's Terry was stripped of the armband last year.

The source claimed England boss Fabio Capello has been persuaded to re-think his stance by "certain London-based media" close to centre-half Terry.

Capello's camp say no decision has been made but say Terry is being considered.

Capello is due to discuss the situation with Ferdinand later on Tuesday before addressing the rest of his squad next week, when they meet up next for Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales in Cardiff.

Franco Baldini, Capello's number two, has already spoken to current England vice-captain Steven Gerrard about the situation.

The Liverpool midfielder, who is currently sidelined with a hernia injury, is said to be comfortable with Terry's likely reinstatement.

Ferdinand, 32, was made captain when Terry was relieved of his duties in February 2010 after reports surfaced that he had an affair with the former partner of England team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Since then, Ferdinand has made only four appearances for England and will miss the game against Wales because of problems with his back and calf.

The England captaincy has become a big issue for Capello in the wake of February's friendly against Denmark.

With Ferdinand and Gerrard both absent, Frank Lampard started the match in Copenhagen as skipper but passed the armband to Gareth Barry when he was substituted.

In turn, Barry gave it to Ashley Cole when he was replaced.

"I was really upset about what happened in Denmark, when I saw the players saying 'who is the captain?'," said Capello.

"After one year of punishment, it was not the best moment for John Terry to see this. For that reason, I need to make a decision - and it will be a permanent decision, not just one game."

Capello thinks Ferdinand will understand why he has decided to address the captaincy issue now.

"First of all, I want to know what happened with Rio's back and when he will be fit because he is a really important player for us," said the 64-year-old Italian.

"After that, I will explain to him what really happened and what I am going to do in the next week - if I will decide on a new captain or about John Terry or something else.

"Why will it be a difficult conversation? It is not because he is not a good captain.

"I will explain what happened in Denmark and what I think. I would understand if he is not happy but I am the manager. I have to take decisions."

Terry was first handed the armband by former England boss Steve McClaren after the 2006 World Cup and was retained as skipper by Capello before the Czech Republic in August 2008.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday that the 30-year-old centre-back would be delighted if he reclaimed the England captaincy on a permanent basis.

"I didn't say anything when the England team took away his armband," said Ancelotti. "Obviously, this is the decision of the national team and he will be happy about this."

Although he is not in the running to take over from Ferdinand, Jack Wilshere is considered a future England captain by Capello, who has hailed him as "the best young midfielder for his age".

After making his debut against Hungary on 11 August last year, the 19-year-old Arsenal midfielder did not play for the national team until the Denmark friendly last month.

During that time, Capello said he had seen a huge improvement in the teenager, highlighted by his performance in the Champions League defeat by Barcelona last week.

"It is incredible," Capello admitted. "In this last seven months, he improved a lot. After that very first game, I was not sure because he didn't play with a lot of confidence.

"Following the Denmark game, some people were surprised when I said I was really happy with his performance.

"But he played with confidence and without fear. He tried to do the same things he usually does when he plays for Arsenal and everyone can understand his value after the games against Barcelona.

"I followed him. I monitored him during the game in Barcelona. Against the most difficult team, one of the best teams of all, he played the same game, with the same confidence he did in the first leg."

Capello added: "He will be England captain one day. Jack Wilshere needs more caps but he is a real leader. I saw how he spoke with the referee and how he spoke to the other players.

"It is difficult to find someone so young with such a big personality."