El Tel: Terry the same as Adams

Terry Venables has praised the appointment of John Terry as England captain.

Venables, who has returned to the international fold as new coach Steve McClaren's assistant, handed Adams the armband for England's successful Euro 1996 campaign.

And he believes that Terry possesses the same qualities to become an equally inspirational figure.

"Are there similarities between Terry and Adams? They are completely the same for me. They are both guys who lead by example and want to win badly," Venables explained.

"We have got to get on the winning track with England and, if we are to do that, we have got to have people like that who put themselves on the line and make sure under any circumstances they have the bravery to want the ball.

"They've got to have heart and 'the team comes first' approach and John does that very well for his club. Tony Adams was exactly the same. You knew he was a captain. You knew what he was about."

Terry was chosen ahead of Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard as David Beckham's replacement, but Venables feels McClaren was spoilt for choice.

"It's been said that you want as many captains out there on the pitch as you can," he said.

"Steve had a good problem really in as much as he wasn't scratching around for someone to fill the role.

"He had not just two guys to consider. There were maybe more than that who could have been in with a shout. Steve has thought that through and he has made a good choice."