Gerrard winning support from dressing room

A strong feeling is building around the England dressing room that Steven Gerrard should continue as captain even when Rio Ferdinand returns from the knee injury sustained before the World Cup, writes Henry Winter.

Ferdinand is in contention for Manchester United's trip to Everton on Saturday and will return to the England squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro on Oct 12.

In Ferdinand's absence, and particularly since South Africa, Gerrard has impressed as the public spokesman and conscience of a chastised squad.

Over the three internationals since the World Cup, Gerrard has apologised to the nation, called for time and patience to turn fortunes around, backed the widely-criticised Fabio Capello and dealt adroitly with some pretty awkward questions about Wayne Rooney.

Even before Ferdinand damaged his knee when challenged by Emile Heskey at training in Rustenburg there have been increasing concerns about his fitness, particularly when troubled by a persistent back problem. Now Capello must decide whether to revert to Ferdinand or bow to those inside and outside the England camp who want Gerrard to continue.

Although aware of the honour attached to the armband, Capello has never fully grasped the country's obsession with a scrap of cloth worn by Billy Wright, Bobby Moore, Terry Butcher and David Beckham among others.

"For me the performance of the player is important, not the armband,'' Capello said. "It is not a priority for me. The armband is not important.''

Capello preferred to focus on "the players, the performance, the next game with Montenegro'' yet the identity of the man who leads England out at Wembley on Oct 12 will fascinate millions.

Even if Capello's tone seemed to suggest Gerrard had a chance of staying in charge, the smart money remains on Ferdinand. After last month's Hungary friendly, Capello was unequivocal.

"Why do we have to change?'' said the Italian. "Rio is the captain, Gerrard is the vice-captain. Rio will be fit, we hope shortly, and he will be captain.''

Gerrard has always been at pains to stress that he is covering for Ferdinand. Even with Ferdinand restored to full health, Gerrard would have more backers on the terraces and probably in the dressing room.

Having been moved to the heart of England's team against Hungary, Bulgaria and Switzerland, Gerrard's performances have been inspirational.

"For a long time Gerrard played for Liverpool like a second forward,'' said Capello. "This year he is playing like a midfielder. This season he has started to play fantastic. He is always good. He wins back the ball. But when he does his passes are really important.''

The case for Gerrard was propounded by Fulham's former Liverpool and England midfielder, Danny Murphy. "I believe there is the strongest possible case for Steven carrying on, regardless of Rio's fitness,'' said Murphy.

"He leads by example and is the best player in the England team. He is emerging as our real leader. He carried the armband through the World Cup finals and has been a real inspiration this season. For me, there is no one better for the job.

"This is not me having a pop at Rio. He has done absolutely nothing wrong, but, given his unfortunate injury record, I think he will be grateful, initially, just to be back in the squad. Just being named in an England party again will be plenty for him to be going on with.

"Not only that, what happens if he gets hurt again? We will be turning to Steven again. He will become even more important, so for the sake of continuity, Capello must stick with Steven as captain.''

Even if he remains favourite to be captain against Montenegro, Ferdinand's cause is slightly undermined by the re-emergence of an opponent at Goodison Park on Saturday, Phil Jagielka.

The Everton centre-half was outstanding against Bulgaria and Switzerland, although he did not have to face a striker of the pace and calibre of David Villa, who embarrassed him in Seville.

Capello now has centre-halves making genuine challenges to positions long filled by Ferdinand and John Terry. "Jagielka is good,'' added Capello.

"Rio is good. [Joleon] Lescott played very well. Also John Terry is another important player. Lescott played before he was injured. Jagielka was the same. It is good for me to know more players and about the confidence of the players. They played very well.''

Asked whether Terry and Frank Lampard, missing from this double-header through injury, would automatically return to the team against Montenegro, Capello replied: "I have to decide who will come in and after that I will decide who is in the first XI. These players did very well.

They won two games and scored seven goals. Also, they created a lot of chances. This is a nice group but the door is open for all the players.''

What will intrigue many is who appears first from the home dressing room at Wembley on Oct 12.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.