{image-Rio ferdinand_26032008.jpg news.oneindia.in}London, March 26: Fabio Capello has appointed Rio Ferdinand as England"s captain for tonight"s friendly against France in Paris, dashing John Terry"s hopes of an immediate return to the role after his recovery from injury.

In the absence of the injured Terry, new manager Capello made Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard captain for his first match in charge of England, last month"s 2-1 friendly win over Switzerland. But the Italian has said he will not name a long-term captain until just before the start of the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins with an away fixture in Andorra in September. The move could also be seen as a sign that Terry will not be regarded as an automatic choice in central defence under the new regime, particularly if Tottenham"s Jonathan Woodgate, who played under Capello at Real Madrid, can remain free of injury.

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