England v Czech Republic: FABIO CAPELLO has warned John Terry that he will not be "untouchable" when it comes to England selection after the Italian followed his predecessor Steve McClaren's lead by appointing the Chelsea defender his permanent captain ahead of the qualification campaign for the 2010 World Cup finals.
Terry learned of his surprise reinstatement on the training pitch at Arsenal's London Colney complex yesterday after Capello had summoned his squad together for a final briefing of the morning with this evening's friendly against the Czech Republic in mind.
The 27-year-old was immediately congratulated by the other leading candidate for the role, Rio Ferdinand, and later admitted he was "shocked" to have been handed a second chance to wear the armband.
Capello, who was undoubtedly impressed by the manner in which Terry recovered his poise following his traumatic penalty miss in May's Uefa Champions League final shoot-out against Manchester United, must now ensure Ferdinand's own confidence does not suffer having been overlooked. The United defender was left deflated by his failure to convince the Italian he should take up the role and, perhaps with that in mind, the head coach was quick to remind his new captain that his position in the side had not been guaranteed.
"No one is untouchable," said Capello. "The captain cannot play if he is limping, of course, but the fact someone is captain does not make him undroppable. It was not an easy choice to make because Rio Ferdinand is a very important player and I like him as a captain. But I chose John because I think we need one captain with a big personality in every moment. He is important on the pitch but also in the dressingroom and around the squad.
"John will be the 'driver' of this team. It was important for me to get to know the players and then choose who the captain would be. Rio will be the vice-captain and John will not be sure to play. But, for me, the first XI are always the best players at that moment for me."
The irony is that Ferdinand has always appeared the likelier starter than Terry under Capello, an admirer of the talents of Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King, though the new manager now appears to have settled upon his first-choice centre-half pairing.
Terry said: "We have to qualify for the World Cup, that's all. It's as simple as that." His first opportunity to impress comes tonight, though Capello intends to experiment with his line-up as he gleans whatever he can before his first competitive games in charge, against Andorra and Croatia, next month. "I want to see the England team play like a team," he added. "With spirit, without fear and with a big personality."
Those, he feels, are qualities Terry boasts in abundance.
Maik Taylor has expressed a wish to play into his 40s as he prepares to captain Northern Ireland tonight at Hampden Park. The Birmingham goalkeeper will wear the armband in the friendly against Scotland (Hampden Park, 8.0, Sky Sports 1) as regular captain Aaron Hughes is injured.
Just weeks before his 37th birthday Taylor, who worked his way up from non-league football, retains an abiding affection for the game.
He is determined to prolong his career for club and country and said: "I am very proud to be the captain as it is a great honour. I was very surprised when the manager (Nigel Worthington) called me.
Worthington has been hit by a raft of withdrawals with Hughes, Kyle Lafferty, George McCartney and Keith Gillespie all ruled out - while Damien Johnson is also absent through injury.
Sunderland manager Roy Keane is targeting Northern Ireland and Fulham striker David Healy, and the transfer looks like it will go through as it is understood Fulham would allow Healy to move to the Stadium of Light in exchange for Sunderland's out-of-favour midfielder Dickson Etuhu.
• Guardian Service
