Capello to decide Terry future soon

Posted Sunday, January 31, 2010 by PA

England manager Fabio Capello is expected to make a decision on John Terry's captaincy of the national team well in advance of England's next match.

It is understood the Italian, who returns to duties following knee surgery by attending the Euro 2012 qualifying draw in Warsaw next Sunday, will give his verdict on the 29-year-old Chelsea defender ahead of the friendly against Egypt at Wembley on March 3.

In the meantime, the Football Association will refrain from commenting on the Terry affair despite the growing pressure on the England captain following more allegations about his private life.

The FA remain happy for Capello to have the final say on Terry's suitability as captain.

If Capello wants to canvass an opinion on the Chelsea captain, it is understood it will come from chief executive Ian Watmore, chairman Lord Triesman, or trusted assistant Franco Baldini.

Former England captain Alan Shearer described Terry as a "fantastic leader".

He said: "We do not know all the facts, so it would be wrong to suggest anything. What I do know is that John Terry is a fantastic leader and a very good footballer.

"I do not know him him as a person - I have just played against him. Only John Terry and Fabio Capello will be able to tell in the coming weeks if it (the allegations) affects the captaincy."

Terry scored the winning goal for Chelsea on Saturday but the defender remained stony-faced amid claims that he had an affair with, Vanessa Perroncel, the ex-partner of his former team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Bridge, 29, who has separated from Perroncel and now plays for Manchester City, said on Saturday in a statement that he did not intend to comment on the reports for the sake of the couple's son.