Crystal Palace assistant coach Lennie Lawrence has weighed into the England captaincy debate.

The former Charlton Athletic, Middlesbrough and Cardiff City boss does not agree with calls that it doesn't matter who leads a team amidst notions that England manager Fabio Capello is set to take the captain's armband from Rio Ferdinand and return it to John Terry.

Lawrence wrote in his column for the London Evening Standard that today's game certainly still needs an adept leader otherwise a team without proper guidance can lose their way.

'Amid all the furore surrounding the England captaincy this week, one thing that has surprised me is people questioning whether there is still a role for the skipper in the modern game,' he wrote.

'There will always be extra kudos when given the responsibility of leading the national team, but it is still significant if you get to wear the armband at club level.

'You need some aspects of leadership on the pitch if you're going to achieve anything. I have worked with many captains over the years and they can have different qualities.

'At Crystal Palace we have Paddy McCarthy and he is very good. He is a leader on the pitch and is a sensible voice.'