Terry to fight for armband after being overlooked by Capello
John Terry wants to win England armband back from Rio Ferdinand
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Thursday, 27, Mar 2008 02:26
John Terry has vowed to do everything he can to be reinstalled as the permanent England skipper under new manager Fabio Capello.
The Chelsea captain has been overlooked by the new international coach so far, with Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand leading the Three Lions out in friendlies against Switzerland and France, respectively.
And after being forced to witness his central defensive partner with England being given the honour in Paris last night, Terry has said he is not prepared to give up the chance to lead his country again.
"I remember when I got the job as captain. To walk out for that first game, it was unbelievable," he said.
"I want to keep that armband. I am really passionate about it."
Terry was stripped of the captaincy by Capello after he took over from former boss Steve McClaren, under whom the Blues defender led the side whenever he was available.
However, the central defender was injured for the first game under the Italian, which meant the decision of Capello to hand the armband to Gerrard was seen as something of a formality.
However, with the surprise selection of Ferdinand in the most recent match, which also featured Terry, Capello stamped his authority on the situation.
It also led to suggestions that the 27-year-old has been blamed to some extent for England's failings in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
But Terry has hit back, claiming he is desperate to be remembered as a "successful England captain" rather than someone at the helm of England's least-inspiring qualification campaign for 15 years.
"It means so much to me, to my family," he continued.
"I've thought about what the new manager will do. I will give everything, in training, in the games. I will give it my all.
"We have some great players and some great leaders. Mr Capello is a clever man and a great manager and he'll give it to the right person.
"I will have to be patient and we'll see, but I will say here and now that I want to be the England captain."