Exclusive: Ferdinand 'will inspire England'

RIO FERDINAND'S mentor when he was first appointed captain of a Premier League club has backed the Manchester United defender to be a success wearing the armband for England.

The 31-year-old was last night named as John Terry's successor by Fabio Capello bringing an end to a week of intense speculation around the national team.

Revelations about Terry having had a four-month affair with the ex-girlfriend of England team-mate Wayne Bridge had cast a huge cloud over the England set-up.

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Capello was out of the country when the news broke a week ago and only returned on Thursday afternoon following a visit to Switzerland where he had a check-up on recent knee surgery.

The Italian said Terry's removal was for the good of the entire squad as the countdown continues towards the World Cup in South Africa when Bridge is expected to be named in the

23-man squad.

Ferdinand will step up from his role as vice captain following Terry's sacking with Steven Gerrard deputising in his absence.

The appointment is a major boost for the Peckham-born defender who enjoyed his first taste of captaincy at Leeds United.

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Eddie Gray was the assistant manager at Elland Road when Ferdinand followed Lucas Radebe in donning the captain's armband and spent many hours discussing football with the club's record 18m signing.

Gray last night told the Yorkshire Post: "Rio got the captaincy at Leeds because of his stature as a player and he did a great job. He is the sort of person that can inspire those around him, which is an important part of the job.

"I always felt he had a chance of going on to captain England and I am sure he will do well. People may question the appointment in terms of the games he has missed through injury this season. But there are five months before the World Cup and Rio will be working very hard to be ready to lead his country."

Terry was informed of the decision to strip him of the captaincy during a 12-minute meeting with the England manager at Wembley yesterday afternoon. The 29-year-old will continue to play for his country and is likely to be a key figure in South Africa this summer.

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Capello is now hoping a line can be drawn under the affair between Terry and Vanessa Perroncel, who has a three-year-old child with Manchester City left-back Bridge.

The Italian said: "After much thought, I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry.

"As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad. What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice. John Terry was notified first.

"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.

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"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the FA, particularly Lord David Triesman and Ian Watmore, for allowing me to make this decision in my own time and in the best interest of the team."

England are next in action on March 3 when Egypt are the visitors to Wembley.

Ferdinand, who spent 18 months at Leeds before moving to Old Trafford in a 30m deal, will be hoping to put months of injury frustration behind him by leading the side out. One potential problem, however, is his on-going appeal against a four-match ban for striking Hull City's Craig Fagan in Manchester United's 4-0 victory a fortnight ago.

He will miss today's home game against Portsmouth plus this month's meetings with Aston Villa, Everton and West Ham. If his second appeal – the first resulted in an extra game being added to his initial three-game suspension for what the FA deemed to be its 'frivolous' nature – is again rejected, another game could be added. This would be the Carling Cup final against Aston Villa on February 28.

That would leave Ferdinand having played just twice in four months when England face Egypt, a far from ideal situation for the defender or Capello.