England boss Fabio Capello is delighted he made Chelsea defender John Terry his captain.

"The captain sets an example," said Capello. "At every moment he has to drive the team.

"He is the one who is really important in the dressing room and also during the game. He must have a big personality and a strong character."

Time has moved on and attitudes have changed since Terry Butcher used to go around headbutting dressing-room walls to get himself wound up for battle.

But Terry's mental strength is up there with Butcher's own fortitude. After all, he demanded to face the press rather than hide himself away last Friday when he woke to embarrassing newspaper headlines about his mother and mother-in-law.

"I suppose you could say John is a very English defender," said Capello. "But, like Rio, for a centre-back he is very good technically as well.

"He is strong with the head and in the tackle. But he is also very good with the ball at his feet."