Sir Bobby Robson hopes Saturday's fiery clash between title challengers Chelsea and Manchester United does not affect John Terry's and Rio Ferdinand's bids to be national team captain.

"The sight of those two towering leaders, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, squaring up to each other illustrated to me the passion and endeavour of both players," he told the Mail on Sunday.

"As a former England manager, I would tell Fabio Capello not to be concerned at all with the brief shoving between them. It shows their desire to win and, when they wear the white of England together, they will be a formidable partnership.

"Ironically, they are regarded as the main candidates to be Capello's England captain. I think they showed yesterday that either one of them will do the job rather well."