Liverpool icon Robbie Fowler is backing Steven Gerrard to handle the England captaincy.

Fowler thinks former Anfield team-mate Gerrard will perform brilliantly after taking over the country's captaincy from Rio Ferdinand.

He said: "Stevie's been an inspirational player for years - he leads from the front.

"It's not good for Rio to get injured but Steven will rise now and take England forward.

"Maybe it's just me being English with rose-tinted glasses but I think this is the best chance England will ever have.

"On paper, they are as good as anyone.

"They have world-class players, play well as a team and were good in qualifying. Fingers crossed, I think we will be happy. It's a good time to be an English sports fan.

"We've got this rugby tour, which I'm quietly confident we'll do well in, and then The Ashes. It's a good time for an Englishman to be in Oz."