Ferdinand tipped to lead England

Ferdinand and Terry are England's central defensive lynchpins
Manager Fabio Capello is expected to name his permanent England captain on Tuesday, with defender Rio Ferdinand the favourite to land the job.

Manchester United's Ferdinand, 29, was one of four candidates tried out by Capello in his first games in charge.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, Chelsea's John Terry and Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham are expected to miss out.

If Ferdinand is appointed captain he will lead the team out for the friendly with the Czech Republic on Wednesday.

Terry, 27, was the captain under former coach Steve McClaren as England failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

I say to my friend Capello that Terry is a very good choice

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari
Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole says the England players will support whoever Capello decides should take over the captaincy.

"Whoever gets the armband will get the support from all of us from the start," confirmed Cole.

"There are five or six leaders out there and the boys will get right behind whoever it is."

Capello has taken his time to choose who will wear the armband on a permanent basis, the decision coming eight months after he was appointed as McClaren's replacement.