Fabio Capello appoints Chelsea skipper John Terry as England captain for qualifying campaign

John Terry has been named as England captain for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Chelsea skipper beat off competition from Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, who was widely tipped for the post.

Two years ago, Terry was handed the armband by then England coach Steve McClaren following another two-horse race, this time with Steven Gerrard, but today boss Fabio Capello has given Terry the nod.

Chelsea centre-half Terry, whose previous tenure leading out England ended with a failure to qualify for Euro 2008, will lead his country into the vital qualifying campaign which hopefully ends in South Africa and the 2010 World Cup Finals.
Capello has taken his time before coming to a decision and Terry will begin his second stint as permanent captain in tomorrow's friendly against the Czech Republic at Wembley.

It's the last game before the qualifying campaign kicks off next month with two ties, against Andorra, in Barcelona, and then a much tougher challenge against Slaven Bilic's Croatia, in Zagreb.