World Of Sports

Fabio Capello hailed the leadership qualities of John Terry after restoring the Chelsea defender as England captain for the friendly international with the United States at Wembley on Wednesday evening.

The Italian revealed he had chosen Terry as his third skipper before he suffered his penalty shootout agony in last week's Champions League final with Manchester United in Moscow.

And Capello believes being awarded the armband will be an ideal tonic for Terry after his penalty miss against the Red Devils denied Chelsea their first Champions League title.

Terry was appointed England captain as David Beckham's successor by the then England coach Steve McClaren in the summer of 2006.

Injury ruled him out of the first match of Capello's reign against Switzerland when Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard led the side out.

But when Terry returned against France for the March clash in Paris, it was Manchester United central defender Rio Ferdinand who was named as captain by the Italian.

Capello said: "It is very important to try the different captains. My decision will have helped to lift John Terry a little bit after Moscow.

"I made the decision about who would be captain before the Champions League final. The first captain was Steven Gerrard, then Rio Ferdinand and now John Terry.

"I think at this moment it is a good decision for John Terry after the not very nice Wednesday last week.

"When I told him he would be captain, he was very happy. It is very important for an England captain to be a leader - and John Terry is a leader.

"I know him very well. I saw him play a lot of games. He is a leader on the pitch." Capello has not decided who will lead the side against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday but hinted that there may be another incumbent as skipper.

Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry is a strong candidate to lead his country in that game for the first time in the Caribbean.

Capello said: "I think perhaps we will use another one (captain) but you will have to wait and see." The England head coach wants to have his permanent captain in place for the final friendly international in August against the Czech Republic at Wembley before the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign gets under way.

Capello confirmed: "At the start of next season, we will have a (permanent) captain."

Frank Lampard will make his first appearance under Capello against the USA.

And Capello intends to use all four of the Chelsea players who started in Moscow at some stage over the next two games.

Capello said: "I know Lampard very well for the way he has played for Chelsea and I am very happy to see him tomorrow in the midfield against USA.

"He is a very important player for us and I hope tomorrow he plays a good game.

"For the Chelsea players, it is very important to play for the national team and forget the last game in Moscow. In these two games, all the Chelsea players will play some part."

Beckham has impressed Capello as he looks to add to his 100 caps although the Italian would give no assurances about the future of the Los Angeles Galaxy player, who turned 33 earlier this month.

He said: "I have seen David in training. He worked very well. He is very fresh at the moment like the USA players who have just started their season.

"I think the future is good for David. There is no problem. He is very fit now. But as for the future, it is impossible to know." Capello is looking for his side to make further steps forward in the next two games after being pleased with their performance against France two months ago.

He said: "I think it's very important to wait for these two next games. Then we can speak about the progress.