England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
• Capacity:90,000

Rio set to skipper England

09 Oct 2008 - 15:18:58

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Rio Ferdinand is set to captain England in Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan as regular skipper John Terry is almost certain to be ruled out with a back injury.

Chelsea defender Terry did not take part in Thursday's session at England's St Albans training base as he remains troubled by the back complaint picked up during last weekend's 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.

His absence will lead to vice-captain Ferdinand taking the armband in a new-look central defensive partnership alongside either Wes Brown, Joleon Lescott or Matthew Upson.

Terry is also considered doubtful for next Wednesday's World Cup qualifying trip to Belarus.

Manchester United defender Ferdinand has captained England on one previous occasion.

He was handed the armband by coach Fabio Capello back in March for an friendly against France which England lost 1-0 in Paris.

However, the 29-year-old is keen to make amends for recent international disappointment as he looks forward to success under Capello.

"With England I have been very disappointed," he said.

"It's not just that I have never won anything with England, I have not even been in a position to win something by getting to a major final.

"I regard that is disappointing and the hunger to achieve something is only enhanced by the trophies I have won with Manchester United."

Meanwhile, Emile Heskey and Jermaine Jenas both resumed training on Thursday after sitting out previous sessions with back problems.