Manchester United and Liverpool hero Paul Ince says Fabio Capello must act now over Chelsea defender John Terry's England captaincy.

In his column for the News of the World, Ince wrote: "There's no point in Fabio Capello waiting until March 1 when the England team meet up for the game against Egypt to make a decision on John Terry, he needs to grasp the nettle NOW.

"He should be on the phone to Terry and Wayne Bridge, getting their sides of the story, gauging how each of them feels and what impact there will be on the squad if they have to share a dressing room, hotel and training ground for the duration of the World Cup.

"Thankfully, it sounds like Fabio is seeing it like that. Good, because not acting quickly could have dire consequences.

"Normally, stories like this fade after a week but this one will run and run.

"This isn't a case of a footballer stepping out of line, being caught and facing the consequences. This is about the betrayal of a friendship, of crossing a line that should never be crossed.

"And unless Fabio acts quickly, the aftermath will fester and eat away at the unity of the England squad."