7:16 ET: World Cup Update, England: Rednapp:King, Also Capello: Terry

Fabio Capello backs Terry for English WC Campaign

The England coach, Fabio Capello, meets the media at the Euro 2012 draw at the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images

Fabio Capello says John Terry, the deposed England captain, still has an integral role to play with the national team and will be one of his "most important players" at the World Cup in South Africa this summer.

Terry was stripped of the captaincy in a meeting with Capello, the England coach, and the general manager, Franco Baldini, at Wembley on Friday, following a week of allegations about his private life. The 29-year-old is the first England player to lose the role over misdemeanours off the field. Having vowed to "continue to give everything" for his country, he will be buoyed by Capello's public backing.

The Italian was in Warsaw for yesterday's Euro 2012 qualifying draw. England were drawn in Group G with Wales, ­Switzerland, Bulgaria and Montenegro but, much to the Italian's frustration, Terry dominated the agenda.

"[The issue] is now all over, it is finished," said Capello as he left Warsaw's Palace of Culture and Science. "It is now time to move on. But yes, John Terry is still an important player for England. He is one of our most important players."

Rio Ferdinand, who was appointed as Terry's vice-captain in August 2008, will take over the captaincy. Baldini has telephoned the Manchester United defender but Capello does not intend to speak to him until the squad meets before a friendly against Egypt at Wembley on 3 March. Steven Gerrard will be Ferdinand's deputy and Frank Lampard is expected to be next in the pecking order.

Capello said: "I want to speak about this question [the captaincy], but first I want to speak with Rio and the other players. I want to do that before everything – we will speak about the new captain then. I prefer to speak with the players first.

"When I was made England manager I decided on the captain, the vice-captain and the third captain. Everyone knows this. It has been a normal week for me. I spoke with John Terry – everyone knows why – but it was a private conversation."

A fear remains at the Football Association and among those close to Terry that further damaging allegations over the player's conduct could emerge during the build-up to the World Cup.

Terry, who captained Chelsea in ­yesterday's 2-0 win over Arsenal, retains the support of his club. Last night he received the backing of a former manager at Stamford Bridge, Guus Hiddink.

"I loved to work with John and even in training I'd have to say to him, 'A little slower because we have a game tomorrow'," said the Russia coach, who spent three months at Chelsea at the end of last season. "That means he's very ­committed. I know his spirit. He will fight back. But they had to make a decision and I'm sure Fabio made the right one."

The Croatia coach, Slaven Bilic, who faced Terry's England in qualifying for Euro 2008 and this year's World Cup, said: "John Terry is a tiger, he is a lion and [he] always will be for his team, there is no doubt about that. He is just a leader. Some players need the push of the armband to be a captain, to be an authority and gain that from the rest of the players and a leader for the rest of the team, but not John Terry.

"He has never needed that. He is a natural leader, anyway. He can still be that kind of player for England this summer in the World Cup. It will not affect him. That is the kind of man he is. He was the leader on the pitch for Chelsea right from the beginning, long before he became the captain of the club. It is the way he plays and he always will show that leadership on the pitch, whether he is the captain or not. Capello knows that as well."

The draw for 2012 qualifying saw ­Scotland pulled out of the hat with the European champions, Spain, and the Czech Republic in Group I. Northern Ireland face the world champions, Italy, and Serbia in Group C. The Republic of Ireland join Hiddink's Russia in Group B.

Source: Guardian.co.uk

Rednapp backs Center Defender Ledley King for WC despite injury problems

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp says centre-back Ledley King deserves to be in England's World Cup squad despite his injury problems.

Redknapp believes King, 29, is ideal cover for John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, even though his club appearances are restricted by persistent knee troubles.

"You'd take him to the World Cup all day long - he's that good," said the Spurs boss.

King, who has 19 caps, was last called up to the England squad in March 2009.

But that decision angered Redknapp at the time, who said King could not play two games in a week. England boss Fabio Capello later allowed the defender to leave the squad, having had his medical team assess him.

Redknapp later said there was no disagreement between him and the Italian and said King could play for England if he was rested properly between games.

And the Spurs boss has re-iterated his stance that King, who has played 14 times for Spurs this season, could prove crucial to England's plans in South Africa.

Redknapp said: "He's special - that's why when he's fit, I play him.

606: DEBATE
Should Fabio Capello put Ledley King in his World Cup squad?

"He's desperate to play for England. If you lose Terry or Rio, you know he's going to come in and do a job for you.

"If you are in the semi-final and you have a suspension, you can bring him in."

King, who has been made Tottenham captain again following Robbie Keane's loan move to Celtic, is unable to play matches in quick succession because of his knee problems.

Capello has said he will not take unfit players to the World Cup finals in South Africa, putting places for the likes of goalkeeper David James and Ferdinand in doubt.

However, the Italian may have to re-evaluate his stance should injury problems persist for England's centre-backs.

Ferdinand has only played nine games for his club this season because of a long-standing back problem, while Redknapp has said that Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate could miss the rest of the season with a groin injury.

Source: BBC

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