Neville backs Rio for role

Right-back says team-mate deserves to be England captain

By James Dall   Last updated: 11th August 2008

Rio Ferdinand captain France v England

Ferdinand: Neville backing

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Gary Neville believes Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand deserves to be named captain of England.

England boss Fabio Capello is due to name his permanent national team skipper this week after previously rotating the armband ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

Centre-back Ferdinand was highly impressive for the Red Devils on Sunday as the club defeated Portsmouth in the Community Shield on penalties.

And Neville, who played over an hour against Pompey in his first domestic appearance since March 2007, has backed Ferdinand to land the role of captaining his country on a full-time basis.

"I would be delighted for Rio if he was made England captain," said Neville.

"Obviously I hope it's Rio as he is a team-mate of mine and it would be great for the club.

"He is certainly the best defender in the club at the moment and it would be well deserved.

"But if it was one of the others then I wouldn't be too disappointed because the most important thing is to play and anything else is just a bonus."