‘Ferdinand will find it hard to replace Gerrard as England captain’

LONDON - England manager Fabio Capello is reportedly considering to ditch defender Rio Ferdinand and let midfielder Steven Gerrard carry on as the captain.

“Steven Gerrard has done really well since taking over the armband from Rio at the World Cup. He’s shown he is a real leader both on and off the pitch. And Steven’s recent performances have been truly inspirational, he’s been brilliant,” The Sun quoted an FA insider, as saying.

“He has really responded to the responsibility of being made captain. So, it will be hard for Fabio to take the captaincy away from him now,” he added.

The source also said that Capello might follow Manchester United by manager Alex Ferguson’s decision to prefer a leader who is regularly playing rather than one battling against injury.

“He has seen Sir Alex take the armband away at United because of his concerns over Rio’s repeated injuries. And Rio might well find the same thing now happens at England,” the insider said.

“So, while he might be recalled for the Euro qualifier against Montenegro on October 12, there is no guarantee he will automatically return as captain,” he added. (ANI)