John Terry has edged out io Ferdinand and claimed the England armband on a permanent basis.

Chelsea’s John Terry has been handed the England captains armband and will lead his country against the Czech Republic on Wednesday.

Capello had rotated the captaincy in friendlies between Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Steven Gerrard and David Beckham, but in a lunchtime press conference he announced that Terry was the England captain and will lead the national side against the Czech Republic and beyond into the World Cup qualification campaign.

John Terry

I think everybody realises it means the world to me to retain the armband. To get the armband back is a huge achievement for me.

I heard about an hour before the news conference, just after training. The manager called the whole squad together and told us as a whole.

For me to get it above the likes of Rio Ferdinand and the other players in the squad is a great honour.

ENGLAND v CZECH REPUBLIC

Venue: Wembley

Date: Wednesday, 20 August

Kick-Off: 2000 BST