Fabio Capello has admitted the choice of England captain is his most important decision as manager.

The Italian has only just entered his second week as Steve McClaren's successor and still has plenty to ponder over the next fortnight as he assesses his squad for the February 6 friendly with Euro 2008 co-hosts Switzerland.

The 61-year-old is keen to see all the contenders in action before he reaches a verdict and as current incumbent John Terry is waiting for the results of his latest scan to see whether he can step up his comeback from a foot injury, a temporary captaincy for David Beckham would allow the Chelsea defender to stake his claim along with the other plausible choices Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen.

"The captaincy is a very important decision," said Capello.

"There are many things I have to evaluate and I must come up with a choice that is right.

"A captain must be a leader, someone who carries the team, somebody that, in every moment, is important for the team.

"I am still deciding whether to pick a definitive captain or a provisional one. First, I need to know all the candidates well because it is such an important choice."