Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been backed for the permanent England captaincy by FA supremo Lord Triesman.

Triesman said: "Who Fabio Capello chooses is Fabio's choice. But Rio in the last couple of seasons at United has led in a mature way.

"He is a huge enthusiast as a captain, which we saw in that England-France game.

"Rio is someone who is increasingly trying to calm players if he feels they are getting a rush of blood to the head.

"He is demonstrating that calmness and authority. That's a very, very powerful and positive thing to see."